PHOTOS : AUTO IMAGERY

Since being named to the 30 Under 30 list in 2015 , Coughlin has dipped his racing toes in a little of everything , including Top Fuel , Top Alcohol Dragster and , in 2020 for the first time , Pro Stock .

That afforded him the chance to race alongside his uncle , Jeg Coughlin Jr ., during his final fulltime season in the class , which is something that will stick with him for a long time .

“ It was emotional seeing uncle Jeg roll down that return road for the last time . I shed a few tears watching that and thinking about all the things he ’ s taught me ,” Troy Coughlin Jr . says . “ He ’ s always been a hero to me and he definitely earned ‘ The Natural ’ nickname because he ’ s the best we ’ ve ever seen . I still have plenty to learn from him and I know he ’ ll always be there for me .”

Without question , Coughlin has shown impressive natural talent in the sport . He ’ s still active in the sportsman ranks , but made some big moves during the 2020 campaign after winning back-to-back Top Alcohol Dragster regional championships .

He made his Pro Stock debut at the Drag Illustrated World Doorslammer Nationals in March , almost immediately proving his worth in

a class that often isn ’ t kind to young newcomers . Coughlin beat back-to-back world champ Erica Enders in eliminations at the race , putting him on an impressive path .

The major highlight came at the third Indy race after the NHRA restart in July , where he matched up with his uncle in the final round . The elder Coughlin remained the teacher , but it was a remarkable moment for the younger Coughlin , who time and time again proved his worth in a class loaded with standout drivers .

“ This year was probably the pinnacle because ,

without question , Pro Stock is the most challenging category of all ,” Coughlin says . “ It ’ s the most cognitive workout you can have in a race car between executing good burnouts , working the clutch and hitting the shift points just right , to keeping the car straight all the way down the track . It ’ s such a challenge to try to make a perfect lap every time knowing a perfect lap doesn ’ t really exist .”

He finished 13th in the standings despite missing the first two races of the season , posting five round wins in the JEGS . com / Elite Motorsports Ford Mustang and a number of incredible memories along the way .

“ I ’ ve said since the beginning I ’ m the luckiest kid in the pits and I still feel that way ,” Coughlin says . “ Having had the opportunity to drive so many different cars in a bunch of different classes , and to have had the crews I ’ ve worked with through the years , is just incredible .”

His talent in Pro Stock is obvious , as Coughlin was strong on the starting line and a natural in the Mustang . But he hasn ’ t committed to the class in 2021 , keeping his options open for a year that will certainly include plenty of racing – one way or another .

“ I ’ m not sure what ’ s next for me but whatever it is ,” he says , “ it can ’ t come soon enough .”

– JOSH HACHAT DI

November 2020

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