Jeg Coughlin Jr. is returning to NHRA’s Camping World Drag Racing Series’ Pro Stock class for the final two races of the season and the Countdown to the Championship. When he stepped away from full-time racing in 2020, Coughlin kind of left the door open by a millimeter or two, saying that he might return if the opportunity presented itself.
Here we are and here he comes. The six-time Pro Stock World Champion is returning to action next weekend during the NHRA Nevada Nationals and in the In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals that close out the 2023 campaign for his Pro Stock class, for Pro Stock Motorcycle, Funny Car and Top Fuel. Coughlin is driving an Elite Motorsports-campaigned new RJ Race Cars Chevrolet Camaro with the support of SCAG Power Equipment, a growing concern in the sport of NHRA drag racing. SCAG is one of the largest independent manufacturers of both commercial and residential moving equipment and debris/turf management equipment worldwide.
“Our friends at SCAG Power Equipment helped make this a reality, along with all of our supportive partners involved in our program,” revealed Richard Freeman, Elite Motorsports owner. “Getting runs on the new RJ Race Cars Pro Stock Camaro before the end of the season was something we wanted to do, and having Jeg Jr. driving the car in real competition is about as good as it gets. Who knows, maybe the planets will align and Jeg Jr can return full-time in a cat’s-eye-gold SCAG Power Equipment hot rod in 2024?”
Jeg Coughlin Jr.’s 84 national event wins include 65 victories in Pro Stock. The second-generation racer has gone to NHRA’s Winner’s Circle using a wide variety of vehicles and in many different categories of straight-line racing. In the most recent four years of his full-time competition, Coughlin Jr. raced with Elite Motorsports and played an integral role in its growth. His nephew, Troy Coughlin Jr. currently races full-time with the team and stands sixth in points.
“I’m thrilled to get the opportunity to drive this new RJ Race Cars hot rod,” Jeg Coughin Jr. said. “And I’m honored to race under the SCAG Power Equipment banner. They’ve done so much for drag racing across the board and their commitment to excellence mirrors my own values,” he noted. “I think it’s a fitting partnership. Above all else, I’m excited to work with everyone at Team Elite again. We are going to have some fun out there and, if all goes according to plan, we will learn a little something in the process.”
Coughlin Jr.’s upcoming Pro Stock exploits on behalf of Elite Motorsports and SCAG Power Equipment during the final weekend of October, October 26-29, take place on The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Great to have Jeg back!