Pro Stock racer Jeg Coughlin Jr. admits he's the forward-looking type, which serves him extremely well when he's streaking down the quarter mile behind the wheel of his09Jeg_head_shot-oakley.JPG (754133 bytes) 1,300-horsepower JEGS.com Chevrolet Cobalt. But after wrapping up his first back-to-back Pro Stock titles, his fourth championship in the NHRA's professional ranks, and his fifth world title overall, it's probably time for the 38-year-old from Delaware, Ohio, to reflect on his incredible career to date.

Already one of the best pure drag racers in the 57-year history of the National Hot Rod Association, Coughlin reached a plateau few have visited in 2008. There are now just two men ahead of him on the all-time list of Pro Stock champions -- Bob Glidden (10) and Warren Johnson (6). Furthermore, only five others have collected more titles across all four professional classes than the unassuming Coughlin.

In two decades, Coughlin has won an astonishing 54 national events in 86 final-round appearances, which once again ranks him among legends such as Joe Amato and Kenny Bernstein, as well as contemporaries like John Force, Greg Anderson, and Tony Schumacher, among others.

Simply stated, Coughlin is quickly becoming a candidate for one of the best straight-line racers ever. A second-generation racer, Coughlin spent his formative years with his father Jeg Sr., who raced a number of different hot rods, including a Top Fuel dragster. By the time he was completing his college studies, he was also collecting trophies himself, winning his first national event at his home track of National Trail Raceway at the age of 20 and his first world championship in Super Gas at just 22.

A few years later in 1997, the versatile racer became the first (and to date, only) racer to win national events in four separate categories -- Super Stock, Super Gas, Comp, and Pro Stock -- in the same year. He turned professional near the end of that season and quickly proved he belonged at the top level of drag racing by winning the SuperNationals in Houston in just his second race behind the wheel of a Pro Stock car.

Within a year, Jeg went from promising rookie to championship contender, finishing a respectable second in the 1998 points standings while earning membership in the exclusive Speed Pro 200-MPH Pro Stock Club.

By 2000, Jeg had established himself as a dominant force in Pro Stock, winning six of the first seven events and 10 races overall. He won the invitation-only Holley Dominator Duel for the second straight year and clinched the NHRA Pro Stock championship well before the end of the season.

Coughlin won the title again in 2002, claiming eight national event titles along the way in an exciting chase that featured him making one of the best second-half surges ever. Never finishing lower than sixth in any of his other pro campaigns, Coughlin returned to the top of the drag racing world in 2007 with Victor Cagnazzi Racing. Competing under a brand-new playoff-style points system, the man many of his peers regard as the best Pro Stock racer in the class mastered one of the toughest fields ever assembled to win his third Pro Stock title on the last day of the season.

Then came 2008 and his first successful title defense, which ultimately came down to his JEGS.com race team giving him a car capable of carrying him to all the crucial wins he needed in the six-race playoffs.

The journey to being the best requires many steps. Jeg Coughlin Jr. already has taken many of them. Who knows how many more he'll take in 2009?

Career Highlights 

• Four-time POWERade Pro Stock world champion (2000, 2002, 2007,2008) 

• Sportsman world champion in Super Gas category (1992) 

• NHRA Rookie of the Year (1998) 

• Became 10th driver in NHRA's 57-year history to win 50 national events (2007) 

• Two-time winner of Holley Dominator Duel (1999, 2000) • Only driver in history to win national events in four categories in one season -- Pro Stock, Super Stock, Competition, and Super Gas (1997) 

• Four-time NHRA Division 3 champion (Super Gas, 1992; Super Stock, 1994; Competition and Super Stock, 1997) 

• Moroso 5-Day Champion (Super Pro, 2003) • Two-time Hemi Shootout winner (Indianapolis, 2004; and Las Vegas, 2006)hts

 Personal

Date of Birth: Jan. 1, 1983 
Hometown: Elyria, Ohio 
Team Owner: Victor Cagnazzi 
Crew Chief: Tommy Utt 
Car: 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt 
Engine: Cagnazzi Racing

This 25-year-old superstar is considered by many to be the most gifted driver to come along in years. In 2007 Connolly posted his fourth straight top five professional finish, and was one 08dv2.JPG (66929 bytes) of only four men in the exclusive “Countdown to One” World Championship Chase. Connolly also became only the 4th driver in drag racing history to win 5 consecutive NHRA Pro Stock events. Dave’s humble nature and inviting personality are a perfect compliment to his competitive spirit behind the wheel.

2007: Competed in inaugural Countdown to 4 and Countdown to 1; His five wins in a row from Reading, Pa. through Richmond, Va. tied for second with most consecutive wins in Pro Stock; Posted career-best time and speed; Finished in POWERade Series top five for fourth consecutive year

2006: Tied his top career POWERade Series points performance with third-place finish; Earned four victories in seven final-round appearances; Posted career-best time and speed; Finished in POWERade Series top five for third consecutive year

2005: Opened up the season with a win at Pomona, earned second win of the season at Las Vegas 1; Posted career-best speed; Finished in POWERade top five for second consecutive year; Won King Demon Crown bonus event for Pro Stock after finishing second in 2004

2004: Earned first career national event victory in Brainerd – the first of three season victories; Made a career-high eight final round appearances; Recorded career-best performance numbers; Earned first No. 1 qualifying award (Memphis); One of only two drivers to beat champion Greg Anderson in a final-round match-up; Runner-up in King Demon Crown bonus event for Pro Stock

2008 –

• Missed first five races of season but still qualified sixth in Countdown to the Championship series. 

• Went to eight final rounds – including seven in his first 13 races -- winning four times.
 
• First race win came in his third event (Bristol, Tenn.) Won second consecutive U.S. Nationals title. 

• Other victories came at Sonoma, Calif., and Richmond, Va. 

• Set person elapsed time best of 6.561 seconds at Richmond

2003 –

• Qualified for 11 of 13 events in which he competed; established career-best numbers for time and speed

2002 –

• Earned NHRA Division 3 Super Gas championship

1999 –

• Top E.T. Bracket Finals champion

 

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A 22-year old newcomer from Australia who has already proven he has what it takes to win. Voted Australian Drag Racing Series rookie of the year, Tucker reached 4 final rounds (winning 2), on his way to a second place finish in the Australian Pro Stock Championship With his movie-star good looks and unmatched charisma with the fans, Tucker is destined to take the American Drag Racing Circuit by storm, adding an international flavor.

Overview:

Cagnazzi Racing announced the signing of Australian Pro Stock driver Shane Tucker as the newest addition to its team, which already fields the cars of Dave Connolly and Jeg Coughlin. Tucker nearly won the 2005-06 Australian Pro Stock championship in his rookie season, finishing second by just five points. 07ShaneTucker.jpg (152823 bytes)

Hailing from Carsbrook, Queensland, Tucker is the reigning rookie of the year on the Australian circuit in his Pontiac Grand Am and is in contention for this year's Pro Stock championship.

"The kid is well-spoken, charismatic, and a hard worker," owner Victor Cagnazzi said. "Shane is a good fit for our organization."

Australian Pro Stock cars use small-block engines and run 7.20s at 190 mph.

"These 500-cubic-inch American Pro Stock cars are a bit different from our Pro Stockers," Tucker said. "I know they're a tough ride and a bit finicky, so I'll have my hands full getting used to it, but I can't ask for better mates than Dave and Jeggie to help me get up to speed.

"This is a dream come true for me. I couldn't have ever imagined I'd be given such a great opportunity with a first-class team such as Cagnazzi Racing."

Tucker will begin competing as soon as sponsorship is in place. Meanwhile, he will continue to compete in the Australian National Drag Racing Association, continuing his driver-development skills, getting seat time, and working toward the 2006-07 Australian championship.

Contact Cagnazzi Racing E-mail: info@vjcr.com Phone: (704) 663-0846 
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