NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Jeg Coughlin Jr. began taking the world of Pro Stock by storm in 1998, and that season's Rookie of the Year went on to blaze through year after year as a top contender. Now a five-time champion with 65 Pro Stock trophies staring at him from the shelf, Coughlin has been away from the class for three years — but his return to action at the NHRA Nevada Nationals in Las Vegas has so far shown that he hasn't lost his touch. 

Coughlin's return came at the request of Elite Motorsports team owner Richard Freeman, who asked him to break in a brand-new Rick Jones-built Chevrolet Camaro that will be handed over to Erica Enders for the 2024 season. 

"Richard called me a couple of weeks ago and asked if I would be interested in running Erica's car, and there is no better test-bed than competition," explained Coughlin. After Dallas, the deal was confirmed, and Coughlin flew to Tulsa, Okla., to renew his Pro Stock license the week of the Nevada Nationals. 

"We made five runs there, and it went very smooth. The car was really nice, right out of the shop, and it went straight as a string," said Coughlin, who finished the most recent chapter of his Pro Stock career with the Elite team. "That made it very easy for me to get back behind the wheel after a little bit of rust had built up. Fast forward a couple days, and here we are on Saturday at The Strip at Las Vegas. I feel competitive again — so stay tuned." 

After three rounds of qualifying, Coughlin was situated in the No. 9 position with a best time of 6.630-second at 206.54 mph, just a tick behind nephew and teammate Troy Coughlin Jr., who clocked a 6.630, 206.54. If the ladder stays as it is, the two will run one another in the first round. 

The elder Coughlin has stayed sharp behind the wheel and continued to actively compete as a bracket racer during the three-year hiatus; he will be ready for whatever raceday brings and is clear about his intentions. 

"I've got a brand-new car that we're trying to get sorted out, and we want to bring home the championship to Elite Motorsports," he said. "Naturally, I'd like to be on the other end of [racing] some of the toughest guys in Pro Stock right now in Dallas Glenn or Greg Anderson and do my best to try to take them out, and that's no easy feat. There are no layups out here, and we'll just see how it plays out." 

The question on the tip of most everyone's tongue is obvious: is Coughlin really just here for two races, or is he here to stay? 

"I'm definitely open to making a full-time return, but a lot of things would have to align for that to happen," he said. "I'm proud to represent SCAG Power Equipment here in Las Vegas and in Pomona, really take it one race and one run at a time, and go from there. My life has changed in the last couple of years since I stepped away from Pro Stock at the end of 2020, and my brothers and I had a transition with our family business at the end of 2021. About midway through last year, things have freed up way differently than I ever expected, so making a return would be much easier on me this go-round. We'll see. I'm certainly open to it." 

For now, Coughlin is simply focused on the task at hand.

"It's been nice, we've made some smooth runs, and most of the competitors are happy to see me," said Coughlin. "Hopefully, we'll be in the mix of it tomorrow."