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NHRA: The Visionaire Northstar Nationals - Brainerd International Raceway

18 August 1998

The JEG'S Mail Order Racing Team has spent their down time wisely and looks to make noise at the Visionaire Northstar Nationals. Engine builder Richard Maskin and his staff have been busy improving the teams horsepower. The engines have all been examined and inspected thoroughly. "The entire team has been working hard to prepare our race cars for this event. Both Pro Stock cars were stripped down to the frame and carefully examined to determine if there was any damage that might have been overlooked during the West Coast swing. All components were inspected throughout both cars and replaced if needed. We feel very strongly that the two weeks that our team had to prepare for this race will help us. Our entire team and employees at JEG'S are looking forward to a competitive weekend in Brainerd," mentioned Jeg Coughlin, Sr.

Jeg coughlin, Jr. is currently in second with 922 points in the 1998 NHRA Winston Pro Stock Championship. Older brother, Troy has 408 points and is merely 79 points out of the top ten. John Coughlin is leading Super Stock in the Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series in division 3 and is currently in the NHRA Super stock top ten.

Jeg Coughlin, Jr. commented, "I feel very good going into the Visionaire Northstar Nationals. I would like nothing more then to win this race, both Sonoma and Seattle were less then kind to our team. However, I remain focused on winning the 1998 NHRA Pro Stock Championship and our team will do what ever it takes to accomplish our goal. As we all know, there is a lot that can happen in eight long races!" Brainerd International Raceway was the sight of one of Jeg Coughlin, Jr's most memorable wins. Last year, he won this race in Super Stock beating teammate and veteran Super Stock racer Jeff Taylor. "That was a winner's circle I will never forget! We had an all JEG'S final, our goal is to do that this year in Pro Stock at the Visionaire Northstar Nationals," said Jeg.

The performance of Troy's #8 JEG'S Mail Order Cutlass has improved in recent weeks and is one of the cars to watch going into the Visionaire Northstar Nationals. "I feel very upbeat about this weekend. My goal is the same at any other race; gain as many points as I can and win the race! I am within reach of the top ten(79 points) and have my sights firmly set on this goal. I intend to be back in the NHRA Pro Stock top ten and I feel that we have all of the pieces to make it work. I feel that with strong performances the next three races I will be back in the top ten," stated Troy.

The is John Coughlin's "rookie" year in NHRA Super Stock. he comes to Super Stock with plenty of racing experience and has a long successful history behind the wheel. John said, "I feel very good about my level of performance right now. My car, the team and all of the pieces are working well together. I am leading the Super Stock points for division 3 and the Federal-Mogul All-Star points. Currently, I am in the top ten in the NHRA Winston Championship points in Super Stock. That gives me added energy going into this race. I have the assistance of two of the best Super Stock drivers in history, my brother Jeg and Jeff Taylor. With all this on my side, I am looking forward to turning on some win lights and making it two in a row for a JEG'S car to win Super Stock here at Brainerd International Raceway."