Jeg Coughlin Jr. Wins Texas NHRA FallNationals 22 Years After First Victory
Jeg Coughlin Jr. and the SCAG Power Equipment / Outlaw Mile Hi Light Beer team picked up their fourth win of the season Sunday at the Texas NHRA FallNationals. It was Jeg Jr.’s second win at the Texas Motorplex, his first came back in 2002.
Jeg Jr. defeated longtime rival Greg Anderson in the final round when he laid down a 6.593-second pass at 208.10 mph that bettered Anderson’s 6.603 at 210.13. It was Jeg Jr.’s 120th final round appearance and 69th career victory.
“This feels fantastic. I was looking through some of our family stats and race wins and I realized it’s been some time since I won here. It’s great to renew my vows at the Texas Motorplex. Billy Meyer and his family put a lot of heart and soul into not only this event weekend but the whole week of Stampede of Speed,” Jeg. Jr. said. “We had our JEGS Allstars this weekend, as well, and the 80 racers who competed in that event seemed like they had a really nice weekend and we crowned 10 great champions. For me, the cherry on top was for Justin Ashley and I to get our first double together as SCAG teammates. I’m really eager to go celebrate with our team; it should be a big one.”
“This Wally is going back to Mark Ingersoll,” continued Jeg Jr., referencing the head Elite Motorsports crew chief who had a double lung transplant last week (support Mark’s recovery here). “It’s quite remarkable what he’s gone through. He’s on a good path to recovery, and he’s as strong as an ox for sure. We miss having him out here and look forward to him coming back.”
Jeg Jr. and the SCAG / Outlaw Beer team started their day form the No. 6 qualifying position thanks to a 6.554-second pass at 210.24 during qualifying. They were matched up with Pro Stock rookie Cory Reed in the first round. Jeg Jr. left the starting line first and held on for a 6.583 run at 208.29 while Reed had a 6.572 at 210.06.
In the second round, Jeg Jr. lined up against teammate David Cuadra in the Corral Boots / Cuadra / Columbia Impex machine. David had his best qualifying effort of his career with a No. 3 start before defeating Chris McGaha to take on the SCAG team. It was a clean drag race with Jeg Jr. getting the victory on a 6.627 pass at 208.03 while David had a 6.650 at 208.03.
In the semifinals, Matt Hartford would have tire smoke and had to push the clutch back in to coast to an 8.204-second pass at 144.29 mph and watch Jeg Jr. drive away to a 6.619 pass at 208.75 that set him up for his 113th race against Anderson.
Jeg Jr. stays fifth in the points standings, 85 behind teammate and reigning six-time world champion Erica Enders and the Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage / Melling Performance / SCAG team who had a quarterfinal finish.
Aaron Stanfield and the JHG / Melling / Janac Brothers Racing team remain second in the points, 53 behind leader Dallas Glenn who they lost to in the second round before Glenn lost to Anderson in the semifinals.
The Mission Foods NHRA Drag Racing Series continues with the Ford Performance NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the penultimate race of the 2024 season, October 31 – November 03.
This story was originally published on October 14, 2024.
The post Jeg Coughlin Jr. Wins Texas NHRA FallNationals 22 Years After First Victory first appeared on Drag Illustrated.
