Third-generation Coughlin racer finds new home in Street Outlaws : No Prep Kings By Craig Cook

Coughlin – who works at J & J Racing Engines in Jupiter , Florida , when she ’ s not racing – made her series debut this season in “ Golden Child ,” a 1992 Camaro powered by a 565 Pro Line Hemi with a ProCharger . Growing up around doorslammer racing with her father , Troy Coughlin Sr ., she initially showed interest in Pro Mod and Top Sportsman . But a chance trip to National Trail Raceway by her dad to watch No Prep Kings quickly altered their course .

“ My dad went out to their first race back from COVID , and he goes , ‘ Paige , you need to check this out . I have not seen this track this packed out since I was a kid ,’” Coughlin recalls . “ So I went out to Maple Grove that same year , and I couldn ’ t believe how many people came to a drag racing event . Just seeing their enthusiasm for the sport , how intertwined the fans are with the drivers , it ’ s much more personal . Once I experienced my first NPK race , I wanted to go to another one .”

The prospect of competing in a different series than the rest of her family also held a certain appeal . While she still enjoys bracket racing periodically with her Top Dragster , Coughlin quickly realized this was the path she wanted to take .

“ My brother ( Troy Coughlin Jr .) is prominent in Pro Stock , my uncle Mike has been running Top Alcohol Dragster , and the rest of my family is bracket racing ,” says Coughlin . “ It excited me to be able to say I can do something a little bit different , and it ’ s something my dad and I can enjoy together . We dedicated all our time and energy into building the NPK car , and we never looked back .”

With NPK featuring a unique invitation-only format , Coughlin was relegated at the beginning of the year to the Futures class , which gives the opportunity for drivers new to the series to compete and earn a potential spot in the Invitational class . Not surprisingly , it didn ’ t take Coughlin and her team long to adjust . In just her fourth race , she won the Futures class in Bowling Green , Kentucky .

“ It had been a minute since I ’ d parked in the winner ’ s circle ,” jokes Coughlin . “ When I saw my win light come on , I almost had to do a double take . I remember getting out of the car and giving my dad the biggest hug , knowing this was like déjà vu , but the roles were reversed . And we drove that bitch back , as Erica [ Enders ] likes to say .”

The elation from that win would continue to build the following week in Epping , New Hampshire , when she was called up to the Invitational class to join “ Daddy Dave ” Comstock ’ s team . Replacing Kyle Canion , who ’ d hurt his car the previous weekend , she joined a highly successful group of NPK veterans in Comstock , Kayla Morton , Larry “ Axman ” Roach , and Joe “ Dominator ” Woods .

“ They were so supportive ,” Coughlin says of her new teammates . “ I was so nervous because everything was going on at once – there ’ s cameras , microphones , people . They were telling me , ‘ Hey ,

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF PAIGE COUGHLIN

38 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated . com Issue 184