TROY COUGHLIN JR .

Speaking of being on his game , Coughlin has one of the best drivers in current Pro Stock times on his Elite Motorsports team – Erica Enders . The JEGS . com pilot had to drive around Enders in the finals , and another great in the class , Greg Anderson , in the semifinals . “ Wow – to run Erica , your teammate , is just a true testament to how awesome the group is and how fantastic the engine shop is at Elite Motorsports ,” he says .

With his first win in Pro Stock , Coughlin has been able to do something many drivers won ’ t . He is now a winner in four NHRA classes – Pro Stock , Top Alcohol Dragster , Super Comp , and Super Gas . However , it ’ s Pro Stock that Coughlin Jr . feels he ’ s found his place . “ Pro Stock is home ,” he confirms . “ It doesn ’ t feel like home ; it is home . I grew up around it and followed it . I was a fan for so long at the fences . I ’ m one of those nerd-geeks that loves to be there and wants to compete .”

When Coughlin returned home to the JEGS Headquarters , he was welcomed with “ a lot of nods and a lot of ‘ atta boys .’” The Coughlins are no strangers to winning . Between his uncles , father , and grandfather , the Coughlin family has racked up close to 130 national event wins .

Coughlin knows you can ’ t get too high with the highs or too low with the lows . “ Not only is drag racing a humbling sport , but Pro Stock is an extremely humbling class ,” he says . “ That ’ s something my Uncle Jeg , my dad , and all of my

uncles have gone over and over with me . It ’ s a humbling class , and it ’ s not for the weak . It takes a lot of focus , and you have to get into it and dig deep .”

That ’ s what Coughlin intends to continue to do – not only for himself but his Elite Motorsports team . They collectively won nine out of the 11 races this year through the Western Swing . When asked if the team could maintain the wins , Coughlin proclaims , “ I know they can .”

He continues , “ The guys are going to keep making music in the dyno room . As far as driving goes , I ’ m going to stay focused and relaxed . I ’ m going to do my job and do my best to bang gears , let the clutch out , and turn on win lights .”

Coughlin backed up his claims , as he won a second consecutive race , the Menards NHRA Nationals at Heartland Motorsports Park in Topeka , Kansas . He defeated Greg Anderson in the final round . DI

48 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated . com Issue 178