Nashville, TN, (May 15, 2018)…One of today’s most exciting classes in NHRA drag racing has become the Pro Mod series that is now in its first season, sponsored by E3 Spark Plugs. The 2018 E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service is the only one that allows multiple makes of cars, builders and engines to compete on a level playing field. This combination is now drawing ever increasing throngs of fans to each city that Pro Mod races at NHRA. The 2018 season is shaping up again as one packed with thrills as barely hundredths-of-a-second divides the number 1 with the 16th qualifier, from entries topping 30 cars per event.
One of those racers is Troy Coughlin Sr., from Delaware, Ohio. Troy started drag racing in 1988, competing in Super Gas, Super Comp and Top Sportsman from 1988 to 1994. He then made the step up to Pro Stock and raced that class from 1995 to 2004. After that, Coughlin raced Pro Mod from 2005 to 2017. Looking back on his beginnings, Coughlin says, “My three brothers and I all followed in my dad, Jeg Coughlin Sr.'s footsteps. He raced back in the day, running Alcohol Dragsters, Pro Stock and even Top Fuel. We grew up spending our weekends at the track with him. He was always very supportive of our racing and remains so to this day.”
After winning the 2017 Championship, Coughlin made his decision to retire from the sport to “watch his kids race,” and “handed off the keys” of their C7 twin-turbocharged Proline Corvette. Coughlin says, “We ended last year in a turbo-charged car but we have run all three combinations through the years. Not many people can say they've run all three power adders.” Coughlin fills his trophy room with quite a few accolades from his career including Pro Mod championships in 2012, 2015 and 2017, and claims his best was a 5.72 @ 259 mph.
Of all the time spent at the track, Coughlin recalls his favorite personal memory, “the year my son was teammates with me in the Pro Mod series. We lined up once, in Houston, and he whupped me.”
Ask Coughlin his favorite motorsports hero and he’ll tell you his father Jeg Coughlin Sr. “I look up to my dad in many ways,” says Coughlin. “He has been a fantastic sounding board to me, my brothers and our families. He always helps me with a solution to fix the problem and keep it simple as well. My dad has always told us to surround ourselves with good people in order to be successful. I've followed that advice in my racing career for sure, and in business and racing we sure have had a lot of good luck and success.”
Coughlin claims they use E3 spark plugs in their Pro Mod, Super Comp and Super Gas race cars, and “we stock and sell quite a lot of them at JEGS.com.” Also providing an assist down the track are their sponsors ProLine Racing Engines, FuelTech EFI Systems, MAC Tools, Torch Wear eyeglasses, Aeromotive, Hogan Intake Manifolds and JEGS.com.
Coughlin says now that he is not racing, “My brothers and I are very active with JEGS.com. We have 400 employees, including a new CEO, and we're full-time making sure our customers get the best high-performance parts available. I love to help my kids race, spend time with my wife Julie, and maybe sneak in a round of golf once in awhile.” Another fun fact many may not know; “I'm very good at making crank phone calls,” says Coughlin.
Just like Troy Coughlin Sr., E3 appreciates the support from the racers/teams/participants competing in the E3 Spark Plug Pro Mod class of the NHRA and we are excited for the 2018 season. ?Rob Fisher, E3 Director of Motorsports says, “We are very thankful for everyone in the sport and everyone in the stands!”
For more information about E3 spark plugs and performance ignition products, visit www.e3sparkplugs.com. For the latest company and product news follow E3 on Facebook, Twitter, Google +, Instagram, or subscribe to E3’s You Tube Channel.
ABOUT E3
E3 is a true high-performance aftermarket manufacturer providing high-performance spark plugs and ignitions systems for drag racing, off-road, late model, street rod and muscle car, tuner, sports car, marine, lawn and garden and powersports. E3 Spark Plugs are the product of years of fundamental research in the combustion field. The unique patented electrode configuration of the new E3 spark plugs increases the amount of combustion pressure created during each power stroke of an engine, which results in a marked increase in power output, fuel economy, and reduced emissions in gasoline engines.
