Note: images from NHRA
BRISTOL, Tenn. (June 09, 2024) – Jeg Coughlin Jr. and the SCAG Power Equipment / Outlaw Mile Hi Light Beer team clinched a thrilling victory on Sunday at the Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway.
Coughlin Jr. secured his 67th career win by defeating Pro Stock rival Greg Anderson in the final round. Jeg Jr. delivered a solid pass, clocking in at 6.707 seconds and reaching 204.94 mph. In contrast, Anderson, who had been the No. 1 qualifier and fastest competitor throughout the day, encountered difficulties, squaring the tires and finishing with a disappointing 20.530-second pass at just 37.09 mph.
"Greg and I have faced each other in so many elimination rounds. Seeing them make a mistake after such stellar runs was unbelievable," Jeg Jr. remarked. "I put it in fourth gear, peeked over, and saw him spinning and shaking. By the time I got into fifth gear and peeked again, I couldn't believe it. I thought he'd come on like a freight train. But bottom line, it was a fantastic win for us today."
En route to the finals, Jeg Jr. faced off against three Elite Motorsports teammates. As the No. 3 qualifier, he first matched up with Jerry Tucker and the Outlaw Mile Hi Light Beer / SCAG team. Tucker's run of 6.698 seconds at 205.38 mph fell short of Jeg Jr.'s 6.657 at 205.04. In the second round, Jeg Jr. faced his nephew, Troy Coughlin Jr., who had recently won in Epping, N.H.
Jeg Jr. outperformed Troy Jr. at the starting line with a .013-second reaction time compared to Troy Jr.'s .044. Jeg Jr. maintained his lead, finishing in 6.690 seconds at 205.32 mph, besting Troy Jr.'s 6.736 at 204.85. This quarterfinal win set up a semifinal clash with reigning world champion Erica Enders.
Starting the day from the No. 2 spot, Enders had impressive runs, beating teammates Fernando Cuadra Jr. and David Cuadra with 6.636 and 6.665-second passes. However, Enders encountered trouble on the track, posting a 9.657-second run at 104.42 mph. Jeg Jr. seized the opportunity with a 6.720-second pass at 204.60 mph, securing his spot in the final.
"It was a tough team battle from the start. Today's Pro Stock competition reminds me of the late '90s and early 2000s when fields were separated by just a few hundredths of a second," Coughlin said. "In such a tight field, it puts pressure on the driver to perform well, get a good start, shift efficiently, and avoid mistakes."
By reaching the semifinals, both Enders and Jeg Jr. earned spots in the Mission Foods #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge, set to take place in two weeks in Richmond, Virginia. During Saturday's qualifying sessions in Richmond, the semifinalists from Bristol will compete again for championship bonus points and a cash prize.
The Mission Foods NHRA Drag Racing Series season continues on June 22-23 with the Virginia NHRA Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park in Dinwiddie, Virginia, just outside Richmond.
