POWERADE SERIES
NATIONAL EVENTS
  2003 Tickets
  2004 Schedule
  2003 Class Schedule
  2002 Results
  2002 POWERade points

SPORTSMAN
DIVISIONAL EVENTS
  2003 Schedule
  2001 Results
  2001 Point Standings

TEAMS
  Driver Profiles
  Driver Fan Clubs

BECOME A MEMBER
  NHRA Membership
  Jr. DRAGSTER

INSIDE THE NHRA
  Official Sponsors
  Contingency Sponsors
  The Basics (Tutorial)
  NHRA Museum
  Hot Rod Reunion

RACING INFORMATION
  2004 Rule Revisions
  Class Indexes
  National Records
  Classification Guides
  Engine Blueprints

MULTIMEDIA
  Movies

  Action Photo Gallery

TRACK DIRECTORY

NHRA NEWSSTAND
  National DRAGSTER
  Jr. DRAGSTER

COMMERCIAL CLASSIFIEDS
  Performance Directory
  Dragmart (For Sale)

MEDIA SECTION

NHRA STORE

HELP
  Contact NHRA
  Division Directors

"Our team has done extremely well at Bristol Dragway and we are looking forward to continuing our winning ways." -- Troy Coughlin

The NHRA record books don't list Troy Coughlin as an official NHRA national event winner, but the Columbus, Ohio driver does know what it's like to be the centerpiece in the winner's circle.

That's because Coughlin's only career Professional victory -- the 2000 Winston Showdown, NHRA's all-star event at Bristol Dragway -- gave him a lucrative payday of $50,000 and all the thrills and chills that come with an official NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series triumph, but no national event points.

Coughlin, one of several NHRA Pro Stock leaders in search of a first national event win, hopes to draw upon his past Bristol success when he competes in the inaugural Mac Tools NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals, April 27-29 at Bristol Dragway.

"To return to Bristol Dragway for the Mac Tools NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals as the defending champ is an honor," said Coughlin, who also posted a runner-up effort at the '99 Winston Showdown and has one career win, the 1991 U.S. Nationals, in Super Gas. "The facility is simply the best in the country and you can tell that Bruton Smith and his staff really did their homework. Mac Tools picked a great race to get involved with. The fans from the area know racing and that always creates a lot of excitement."

After finishing sixth in the 2000 Winston standings, Coughlin has experienced some difficulties early this season. In his first four races of 2001, he posted two first-round losses and two DNQs (did not qualify).

With eight career runner-up finishes to his credit, Coughlin knows its only a matter of time before he starts enjoying the same success that his younger brother does, defending series champ Jeg, a 22-time national event winner.

"Team Jeg's has really shown plenty of strength at the high altitude tracks like Bristol Dragway," he explained. "We have a firm handle on the tuning that it takes to run well in conditions where there is not much room for error. Our team has done extremely well at Bristol Dragway and we are looking forward to continuing our winning ways."

As Troy continues to seek his first national event win, the sweet taste of victory he enjoyed at Bristol one year ago leaves a lasting impression that won't soon be forgotten.

"I can remember winning the Winston Showdown last year like it happened yesterday," he said. "The guys on the team were yelling on the radio so loud that I didn't even know what happened. When they told me that I won, I went nuts inside the car. Just thinking about it brings a smile to my face. I have the trophy in my office and it is the first thing that I look at every day when I open my door."