ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. – Defending NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series world champion Troy Coughlin enters the Toyota NHRA Summernationals, May 30-June 2, with much confidence since scoring his first season win at Charlotte in mid-April. The Delaware, Ohio, native was runner-up last season at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park and hopes to elevate his effort one notch higher this time around.
At the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals Coughlin powered his JEGS.com ’68 Corvette to his third career victory, this time defeating Kenny Lang in the final round. This early season win boosted the confidence of Coughlin and his crew to defend their Pro Mod crown.
"Lots of confidence, from last year and this year," Coughlin said. "We finished the season strong and won the championship. We went to Gainesville and had a couple hiccups, but we figured out what those were and went to Charlotte and did well. We had a fast, consistent race car in Charlotte, so as we head to Englishtown it definitely builds a whole bunch of confidence in me as a driver, knowing I've got the team and the car behind me 100 percent."
Coughlin will have a tough time protecting his championship crown from the pool of tough contenders in the popular 250-mph doorslammer touring series. Last season, veteran driver Danny Rowe took the event win from Coughlin after he fouled with a red-light start in the money round at Topeka.
“Danny is pretty strong," Coughlin said. "He's very committed as a racer and very committed as a spokesperson for the class and NHRA and very committed to trying to help this sport continue to grow. As a racer, he's got one of the better teams out here, and he's a good driver. That Sunday in Englishtown last season, our car seemed like it was starting to come around, and the team was jelling together stronger and stronger. I think we could've given him a run for his money. He'll be there in the thick of things in Englishtown. All we can do is keep working hard and try to stay competitive.”
Coughlin enters the Toyota NHRA Summernationals in the No. 4 position in the points, and the focus of the team is to continue racing each round as hard as they can.
"I'm a believer in momentum," Coughlin said. "I'm a believer in trying to make sure you cross your T’s and dot your I’s and learn from your mistakes and capitalize on all the good. That's what we're doing right now, and hopefully, we can continue to go to be strong."
Defending Englishtown winner Danny Rowe, current points leader Kenny Lang, 2010 Pro Mod world champion Von Smith are some of the Pro Mod elite drivers that will take to the famed Englishtown track in their high-horsepower Pro Mod machines in search of victory this weekend.
Featuring the world’s fastest and most unique doorslammer cars with an extremely diverse collection of vehicles, including ’63 Corvettes, ’68 Camaros, ’67 Mustangs, ’68 Firebirds, as well as late model cars, the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series offers something for every kind of hot-rodding enthusiast.
• SCHEDULE: NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series qualifying sessions are scheduled for 3:30 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. on May 31 and at 1:45 p.m. on June 1. The first round of Pro Mod eliminations begins on June 1 at 4 p.m. Pro Mod eliminations continue on June 2.
• TICKETS: Tickets are available for the Toyota NHRA Summernationals by calling (732) 446-7800 or available online at www.racewaypark.com.
• ON THE WEB: Get live timing, scoring, multimedia and the latest news updates from every NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series event on the Internet at www.nhra.com. Visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.
NHRA PRO MOD DRAG RACING SERIES FACT SHEET
TOYOTA NHRA SUMMERNATIONALS
WHAT: Toyota NHRA Summernationals, the fourth of 10 events in the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series. The race will also showcase the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.
WHERE: Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, Englishtown, NJ. The track is located at 230 Pension Road, Englishtown, NJ
COURSE: Championship drag strip; Track elevation is 700 feet above sea level; Track direction is northeast to southwest
WHEN: Thursday through Sunday, May 30-June 2.
SCHEDULE:
FRIDAY, May 31
NHRA PRO MOD DRAG RACING SERIES qualifying at 3:30 and 5:45 p.m.
SATURDAY, June 1
NHRA PRO MOD DRAG RACING SERIES qualifying at 1:45 p.m.; first round of eliminations at 4 p.m.
SUNDAY, June 2 - Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m.
NHRA PRO MOD DRAG RACING SERIES eliminations continue at approximately 2:30 p.m.
2012 WINNER: Danny Rowe
TRACK RECORDS: 5.772 sec. by Melanie Troxel, June. ’11, Englishtown; 258.71 mph by Troxel, June ’11, Englishtown.
NATIONAL RECORDS: 5.772 sec. by Melanie Troxel, June. ’11, Englishtown; 258.71 mph by Troxel, June ’11, Englishtown.
TICKETS: For tickets call (732) 446-7800. Tickets also available online at www.racewaypark.com.
NHRA PRO MOD DRAG RACING SERIES POINT STANDINGS
Following the third of 10 races; victories in parentheses
1. Kenny Lang, Manitoba, Canada, Summit Racing Chevy Corvette 224
2. Von Smith, Oak Ridge, Tenn., Dr. Moon / Al-Anabi Chevy Camaro (1) 218
3. Clint Satterfield, Albuquerque, N.M., BAC Enterprises Chevy Camaro (1) 196
4. Troy Coughlin, Delaware, Ohio, Jegs.com Chevy Corvette (1) 179
5. Danny Rowe, Laguna Hills, Calif., Agave Underground Tequila Chevy Camaro 172
6. Mike Castellana, Muttontown, N.Y., Al-Anabi Chevy Camaro 171
7. Rickie Smith, King, N.C., IDG Chevy Camaro 164
8. Chip King, Southport, N.C., Dodge Daytona 154
9. Pete Farber, Baldwinville, Mass., T.J. & Sons Auto Repair Dodge Daytona 142
10. Mike Janis, Lancaster, N.Y., K100 Fuel Treatment Chevy Camaro 121
