FYI WIRZ: NHRA Champ Jeg Coughlin Jr. Revs Up Again in Pro Stock for 2012

Jeg Coughlin Jr. will return to NHRA Full Throttle Dar Racing Series Pro Stock Car ranks in a Mopar-sponsored Dodge Avenger in 2012. The five-time world champion will seek a sixth crown with renewed action commencing Feb. 9-12 with the 52nd annual O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona.

The JEGS organization normally aligns its racing machines with Chevrolet in NHRA drag racing and their JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Late Model program, but has chosen Mopar for their return to the competitive Pro Stock class.

Engine builders Nick Ferri and Roy Simmons with JNR Racing engines join Chrysler Technology Center to bring new power to the quarter-mile track.

“We have the capacity to be frontrunners right from the start,” Coughlin said. “The passion CTC and Mopar folks have for drag racing sport, their brand is invigorating. These guys and gals are on a mission.”

Coughlin was absent from Pro Stock racing in 2011, but raced his JEGS.com dragster and Chevy II station wagon in sportsman ranks.

"I expect I'll have jitters first time back in a Pro Stock car,” Coughlin said. “I took off nine months before. It came back very quickly that time. We'll be testing the car in the off season and that should help me get back in rhythm.”

The 41-year old Coughlin has plenty of history to tap. Comments from him made more than a decade ago in a 2000 Signature Profile interview with Dwight Drum show his depth of understanding. His thoughts then would fit well with any Team JEGS program today.

“I enjoy all the guys on our team,” Coughlin said in 2000. “The first key to winning is to have a great team. The second key to winning is a great chassis, clutch, and engine program. We're all active in the JEGS business. We have three hundred fifty employees, and we try to stay in touch with all of them. They are the key to making our business thrive. We want to provide the best service, the best price we can. Also, the Coughlin family works, races, and relaxes together. When 20 of us go out for dinner, we're not afraid to make noise."

Those thoughts seem prophetic when compared to the new and current JEGS motto that adorns every fender in their fleet of race cars—“Track Tested. We Race What We Sell!”

Also in 2000 a few months prior to winning his first Pro Stock Car championship, Coughlin defined the mental aspect of racing.

"The ability to not be distracted and stay focused,” Coughlin said. “The guidance of my father and mother has helped with that. In any activity, the mind is a very strong part. I played lacrosse as a kid. That takes focus."

That focus may bring about another championship achievement in 2012. A familiar bright yellow car with black lettering will once again roll up to electronic tree and prepare for fast side-by-side racing. This time Mopar is along for the ride.

As always human energy behind the wheel from Jeg Coughlin Jr. will try to harness the explosive speed brought on by approximately 1400 horsepower.

"The adrenaline is definitely pumping,” Coughlin said.

FYI WIRZ is the select presentation of topics by Dwight Drum at Racetake.com. 

Unless otherwise noted, quotes and information were obtained from official release materials provided by NHRA and team representatives.