Joliet II: Jeg Coughlin Saturday summary

Coughlin keeps spot in quickest field ever

Jeg Coughlin successfully held onto his spot in the quickest Pro Stock field ever assembled Saturday as unfiltered sunshine and slightly warmer temperatures kept elapsed times and top speeds in check at Route 66 Raceway. The three-time series champion will attempt to win his third national event at this facility from the No. 14 spot after a best clocking of 6.695 seconds at 205.47 mph in the Jeg's Mail Order Dodge.

"It's exciting to be a part of the quickest field ever," Coughlin said. "Especially in this day and age where there are always more good cars at each event than there are spots in the field. We feel very fortunate whenever we qualify for a national event."

Coughlin was rock steady Saturday during the second and final day of qualifying for the fifth annual Ameriquest Mortgage NHRA Nationals. He opened the day with a 6.704 and followed that up with a 6.725 in session No. 4.

"We were the sixth quickest of the first round and eighth quickest of the second round today so we've managed to pick up our performance in relation to the rest of the field," Coughlin said. "We just didn't have our best run Friday night and that was the one where everyone made the field. The car was slowly expiring as I went down the track that round. If it had held together we'd be in the top four right now."

The opening round of sudden death eliminations will pit Coughlin against veteran racer and fellow Dodge driver Larry Morgan, who qualified third with a 6.668 at 206.67 mph. Due to his quicker elapsed time, Morgan will have lane choice over Coughlin. The two men raced earlier this year under similar circumstances with Coughlin taking the win when Morgan fouled-out at the starting line.

"I feel pretty good about tomorrow," Coughlin said. "Larry ran two 6.71s today, I believe, so we're right there with him. It should be a good race. Obviously with this being the quickest field ever, any one that's in has a great racecar and team and a great chance to win the race."

-jegs