Paige Coughlin looks to carve her own path in No Prep world By Josh Hachat

Paige Coughlin , the third-generation racer and daughter of former NHRA Pro Mod world champ Troy Coughlin Sr ., is well aware of that , but she ’ s also determined to carve her own path .

She ’ s off and running in that regard , going with a unique – at least to the Coughlin name – destination for what ’ s next in her burgeoning career .

Taking the reins of a ProCharger-boosted ’ 92 Camaro , which is aptly named “ Golden Child ,” Coughlin will be racing in the “ Future Class ” on the Street Outlaws : No Prep Kings tour , where show producers put the focus on up-and-coming drivers who have goals of making the marquee category .

With a huge television audience on Discovery , Street Outlaws has become a boon for the racing world , establishing competitors as some of the biggest names in the sport . Coughlin knows that path to stardom isn ’ t immediate , but she ’ s been more than willing to branch out and try something entirely new .

“ I didn ’ t know how people would respond to a No Prep car , but we ’ ve had a lot of positive feedback and I ’ m really excited to make this change ,”

Coughlin says . “ I think it ’ s a great change and it ’ s just going to bring a whole lot of new people to the No Prep scene and JEGS as well , and I ’ m really excited about that .”

After racing in Super Comp , Coughlin was eager to move to a door car , following in the footsteps of her father . Instead of Pro Mod , though , Coughlin and her father took a liking to the No Prep Kings scene after witnessing a live event , and the young standout is determined to stand on her own .

“ Having my own voice as my own brand , it ’ s foreign for me , but I can make it what I want ,” Coughlin says . “ I think that ’ s the most exciting part , and just having that ability to be creative with it , I think is something exciting and I ’ m going to grow into it for sure .”

Coughlin ’ s current crew chief , Justin Beaver , will tune the Camaro , which was purchased from Mike Rees , who has worked with her father . Super tuner Steve Petty will also pitch in , forming what Coughlin called a “ dream team ” when her father

PHOTOGRAPHS BY BRADFORD REGAN