CAREER-BEST 7.72 HELPS JOHN CERBONE WIN FACTORY SHOOTOUT
�Driving one of three cars out of the Saw Mill Auto Sales camp , John Cerbone delivered a standout performance in Ray Skillman Auto Group Factory Shootout competition , culminating with a $ 10,000 victory in the final round . He steered his Travis Hilger-tuned ’ 19 COPO Camaro to a career-best 7.721 at 180.31 alongside David Janac ’ s 8.157 at 142.24 .
“ This is the biggest race I ’ ve ever won – and I ’ ve won some big races ,” Cerbone said . “ This is really big for us . I really feel like we did something , like we accomplished something here . We did it with the help of all of our teams . It ’ s a testament to Barton [ Racing Engines ] and Travis and everybody else on the team . Everybody did this . I just drove the car .”
Cerbone , who also drove Alan Prusiensky ’ s team car as a last-minute fill-in for new Pro Stock driver Mike Callahan in Sunday ’ s opening round of eliminations , was also quick to thank his team owners .
“ All this doesn ’ t happen without Robert Falcone and Ronnie Maio from Saw Mill Auto Sales ,” Cerbone said , who is joined by teammates Jesse Alexandro and Doug Hamp on the three-car team . “ They ’ re the ones that put this together for us .”
Cerbone qualified in the No . 6 spot and beat Stephen Bell , Mark Pawuk , and David Barton to earn his spot in the final round .
Janac was just a tick quicker than Cerbone in qualifying , starting race day from the No . 5 position . He earned round wins over Leonard Libersher , teammate and defending NHRA Factory Stock Showdown world champion Aaron Stanfield , and Arthur Kohn . – NATE VAN WAGNEN DI
TROY COUGHLIN JR . RETURNS TO ORLANDO TO DEFEND THE JEGS PRO STOCK CROWN
�Getting the chance to drive the storied , yellow JEGS . com Pro Stock Chevrolet Camaro is an opportunity Troy Coughlin Jr . hasn ’ t taken lightly .
He called it an honor to replace his uncle , legendary Pro Stock driver Jeg Coughlin Jr ., behind the wheel when he made his official debut in the car at the World Doorslammer Nationals .
Coughlin was trying to replicate the victory his uncle enjoyed a year ago at the inaugural race , and he made a strong showing , advancing to the second round before tire shake ended his weekend . Still , it was a memorable time for Coughlin , who made his Pro Stock debut a year ago at the race and excitedly moved into a new position for the 2021 race .
“ It ’ s an honor to follow Uncle Jeg . He ’ s the best teacher I ’ ve ever had and I learn something new every race ,” Coughlin said . “ We ’ re constantly texting and calling , and I just love the process of learning . I ’ m just fortunate and blessed to have a teacher like that .”
There ’ s no better teacher for the young Coughlin than a fivetime world champion , and Troy Jr . looks like a natural – and the next great Coughlin star – in the class .
He was one of the most consistent drivers throughout qualifying , ending in the third position with a run of 6.540 at 210.41 .
After a first-round victory against Bo Butner , where Coughlin went 6.537 at 210.37 , a semifinal final matchup with teammate Erica Enders seemed likely . But tire shake in the quarterfinals prevented that , as Cristian Cuadra , who also had trouble , advanced with a winning time of 9.953 .
It was a disappointing end to the weekend , but Coughlin marveled about the team that has made his transition into Pro Stock so seamless . That talent was on display a week later when Coughlin advanced to the final round of the Gatornationals , and it will likely be apparent throughout the 2021 season and beyond .
“ Everybody here on this JEGS team has worked impeccably ,” Coughlin said . “ They put so much effort into this and the work ethic speaks for itself when it comes to results . I ’ ve got a lot to learn , but I ’ m in a great place with greater people keeping my mind in the right place . They keep my confidence up and I think we can be a contender . It ’ s just about focus , but this team gives me a ton of confidence .” – JOSH HACHAT DI
86 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated . com Issue 166