HE SPOTLIGHT went on Troy Coughlin Jr . the moment he stepped in the iconic yellow JEGS . com Pro Stock car this year . The third-generation driver has proved up to the task , turning in a solid first full year in the talent-filled category .

He ’ s advanced to one final round and is still looking for that first career victory , but his talents have been undeniable . Replacing the legendary Jeg Coughlin Jr . isn ’ t easy , but TJ has found his place as a contender in the class . The learning process never stops , but he ’ s been an attentive student of the game and eager to improve .

“ There ’ s always room to learn ,” Coughlin says . “ I feel like I ’ m getting more and more comfortable each week and really enjoying the opportunity . I love everything about the class and I ’ m really fortunate to be here , thanks to my family and everyone here at JEGS . com . We ’ re excited to keep marching forward .”

After making his debut in 2020 , Coughlin ’ s natural abilities were apparent . He advanced to one final round that season and has proven adept to drive just about anything in drag racing . Coughlin has found success at multiple sportsman levels , including winning a pair of regional championships in Top Alcohol Dragster in 2018 and 2019 . He won 10 races driving for McPhillips Racing , but Pro Stock always seemed where he was meant to be .

There ’ s been bumps in the road learning the nuances of the class , but he ’ s proven to be a rising star , advancing to the Countdown to the Championship for the first time in 2021 and upsetting Greg Anderson in the first round of a key playoff race in Las Vegas .

That was a certain high moment , but Coughlin is also after his first career Pro Stock victory after seeing many of his young contemporaries do it over the last two seasons . It ’ s the next step for the natural talent and he feels close — and very motivated — to accomplishing it .

“ We ’ re on the cusp of it ,” says Coughlin , who was fifth in points heading into the finale at Pomona . “ Our car is running really well . My crew chief , Mark Ingersoll , and Eric Luzinski and Kyle Bates and Kelley Murphy and Steve-O [ Hurley ], my clutch guy , everybody is working extremely hard and that ’ s every weekend for them . I think we ’ re knocking on the door of that . We just need to turn on four win lights and make it happen .” – JOSH HACHAT DI

80 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated . com Issue 172