CLOSE-UP
Time to
Step Back
F
ive-time NHRA Pro Stock world champion Jeg
Coughlin Jr. made headlines in the drag racing world on
February 8 when he announced that the 2020 season will
be his last full-time effort in professional drag racing. The
marketing whizzes at JEGS made sure it wasn’t just the drag racing
world that knew about it, though.
This news bit and photo appeared on one of the massive video bill-
boards in New York City’s Times Square in the days following the
announcement. The high-visibility move was orchestrated by Scott
“Woody” Woodruff, the director of media and motorsports marketing
at JEGS Performance.
Coughlin’s final full season in NHRA Pro Stock – not to be con-
fused with an all-out retirement from driving – has been dubbed
the “Breaking Barriers Tour,” referencing his accomplishments in the
sport since making his debut in 1997.
“Since 1997, I’ve been able to live out my biggest childhood dream
by racing with my family and following my dad and older brother
Troy into the professional ranks and racing a Pro Stock car,” Coughlin
said. “We’ve been able to win six championships, five in Pro Stock,
and 82 national events in a variety of classes. It’s been a remarkable
run.”
The move to step away from racing a top-flight Pro Stock car at
18 national events wasn’t a decision Coughlin took lightly. With the
class dropping six races from its original 24-race schedule, Coughlin
was enjoying the extra time at home with his wife, Samantha, their
5-year-old daughter, Carly, and his 23-year-old son, Jeg III. He con-
sidered stepping away at the conclusion of the 2019 season, but the
timing wasn’t quite right.
“This is the 50th year of Pro Stock and the NHRA has some neat
things planned to celebrate that milestone,” Coughlin said. “Our
company is celebrating its 60th year in business, so we’ll be able to
promote that occasion with our race program. Plus, I’m turning 50 so
it seems like a bunch of things fell into place to continue into 2020.
“The support of the fans also has driven me for many years,” Cough-
lin added. “People stopping by and sharing stories or even just holler-
ing the famed ‘JEGGGSSS’ when we roll through the pits is so cool.
We’re lucky to have so many supporters.”
Coughlin plans to continue racing in the sportsman ranks after
the 2020 season, while the occasional race in Pro Stock is also pos-
sible, if not likely. He’s also looking forward to being involved in the
Pro Stock training of his nephew, Troy Coughlin Jr., who earned his
license in Jeg’s car during preseason testing.
“I’ve had countless conversations and races alongside Troy Jr. as
he was growing up,” Jeg said. “He’s always wanted to follow in his
father’s footsteps in Pro Stock, and we had a great time in our pre-
season testing together. In fact, I made three runs total and he made
21. If the stars align and Pro Stock is indeed his future he would do a
remarkable job.” - N AT E VAN WAGNE DI N DI DI
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P HO T OG RAP H
Dr ag Illustr ated
B Y
86
MAYA
B ARK AI
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