US Hot Rod fetes motorsports legend Coughlin Sr.
COLUMBUS, Ohio—It’s high time for the American hot rod as the National Hot Rod Association sets the stage for the 5th annual Holley NHRA reunion. Billed as a one-of-a kind American car lover’s dream, this year’s NHRA event will feature the high-octane drag racing it’s been famous for.
For American motorsports driver and NHRA Hall of Famer Jeg Coughlin Sr., this year’s NHRA races will be even more remarkable as he ride down memory lane.
As once one of the most dominant drivers of his generation and now founder of aftermarket high performance parts supplier JEGS Mail Order, Coughlin has been at the forefront of hot rodding and drag racing for nearly five decades. At this weekend’s Hot Rod Reunion at the National Trail Raceway, he will be honored as the event’s Grand Marshal.
“It is such an honor to be named the Grand Marshal of this event,” said Coughlin. “I’ve always said that the best part of these events is being able to see all of your old friends and former competitors again. I can walk through the pit area and literally spend hours reminiscing about the good old days. As we get older, we realize how special it is to be able to spend time with the people we’ve raced with and against for the last twenty, thirty years or more. My only complaint is that there aren’t enough hours in the day to see everyone you want to see.”
Since its inception in 2003, the NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion has experienced significant growth in both spectators and participants, forcing event organizers to seek a bigger venue. In 2007, the event was moved from its former home in Bowling Green, Kentucky, to the historic National Trail facility just outside of Columbus.
“I’m especially excited since the Reunion is now being held at my home track at the National Trail Raceway,” said Coughlin. “This track has had so many great memories for me and my family over the years. It’s hard to remember them all. I’m sure that we will have a lot more great memories after this weekend, too.”
The event, which will be held until June 17, features a car show, swap meet, barbecue, and the popular “Cacklefest,” a thrilling exhibition of power featuring more than a dozen classic nostalgia race cars with their nitro-burning engines fired simultaneously. On the track, nostalgia drag racing classes include Top Fuel, Junior Fuel, Supercharged gassers, classic Funny Cars, Fuel Altereds, factory Super Stock racers and a variety of exhibition runs.
Coughlin made countless quarter-mile runs at the National Trail Raceway during his career, which included stints in NHRA’s three professional classes, Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Pro Stock. Coughlin’s sons, John, Troy, Mike, and Jeg, have also combined to win seven NHRA national events at the team’s home track.
In addition to Coughlin, honorees for the 5th annual NHRA Hot Rod Reunion are Johnny Abbott, Don Cain, Ted Harbit, Fred Hurst, and the successful Ohio-based Top Fuel team of G.L. Rupp and driver Pat Dakin. The Justice Bros. Reunion Spotlight will be cast on two-time Funny Car champion and Drag Racing School founder Frank Hawley. Hall of Famers “Big Daddy” Don Garlits and “TV Tommy” Ivo are also expected to attend.