Bravo! Foods International Corp. (OTC Bulletin Board: BRVO): Jeg Coughlin Jr. carries an extraordinary NHRA Pro Stock resume featuring series championships in 2000 and 2002 and runner-up finishes in 1998-99.
In eight full seasons and parts of two others, the native of Delaware, Ohio, has built an imposing record: 34 victories in 52 final rounds (including a win in his second professional race) and a rounds-won mark of 304-144 (68 percent) in 190 races.
But he’s not satisfied. There’s always room for more. Coughlin would like to drive the Slammers Ultimate Milk Chevy Cobalt into the winner’s circle for the first time during the Checkers Schuck’s Kragen Nationals at Firebird Raceway in Chandler, Ariz., Feb. 23-25.
This is the second stop on the 2007 NHRA Pro Stock tour for Coughlin and Dave Connolly, his Cagnazzi Racing teammate. Coughlin advanced to the quarterfinals in the season-opener at Pomona, Calif., Feb. 11, and ranks fifth in points with 54, 21 behind fourth-place Connolly.
“We are very, very optimistic going into Phoenix, †said Coughlin. “We’ve taken some of the issues we had over the weekend at Pomona (Feb. 10-11) and our crew chiefs, Tommy Utt and Roy Simmons, are trying to pick away at them. We will be as prepared as we can be when we roll out for our first qualifying session Friday afternoon.
“I love going to Firebird. It’s a neat facility. I remember going there in the early 1990s when I was competing for championships in the Sportsman ranks. I’ve had great success there and won a couple of races, both in the professional (2000 Pro Stock) and sportsman ranks. It’s always good to race at a place where you’ve done well. Your confidence level keeps going higher. â€
Coughlin is pleased with way this two-car combination is growing. He and Connolly have been longtime friends. He also provided guidance and counsel to Connolly in his early Sportsman and professional years.
Coughlin is enthusiastic when he discusses the Slammers team and its potential.
“I think things are coming together quickly and the reasons why start at the top with Victor and go down through Roy Simmons and Tommy Utt. It is because of their experience and passion for the sport, †he said. “I didn’t really foresee any issues for our Slammers Chevy Cobalt because we did run the last three races of 2006 and cut our teeth a little bit, which was our goal. â€
Coughlin and Connolly form one tough tandem. Connolly, entering his fourth full season of Pro Stock racing, drives the TORCO/Slammers Ultimate Milk Chevy Cobalt. He has nine race wins in 20 finals. He finished third in 2004 and 2006 (when he won a career-best four races) and was fifth in 2005. He, like Coughlin, began his drag racing career in Sportsman categories.
“Our goal, of course, is to race each other in the finals, †added Coughlin.
Firebird Raceway would be a good place to start.
Pro Stock qualifying is scheduled for 1:30 and 4 p. m. Friday, 2:30 and noon and 2:30 p. m. Saturday. Sunday’s eliminations commence at 11 a. m.
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