Among the news of new crate engines and all of the sexy high performance show cars, the folks at Chrysler’s Mopar division used the 2011 SEMA Show to announce some massive racing news - that Pro Stock champion Jeg Coughlin Jr would be making a return to a factory backed Mopar racing team after several years behind the wheel of a GM race car.
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Jeg Coughlin Jr. has had a long and very successful career in the world of NHRA drag racing with Pro Stock class championships in 2000, 2002, 2007 and 2008. Coughlin has seen much of his success come while racing General Motors’ products but during the 2005 season, Jeg climbed behind the wheel of a Hemi-powered Dodge Stratus. That move was short lived as he returned to GM for the 2007 season in which he won the divisional championship and he followed that up with another championship in 2008 but that success behind the wheel of his Pro Stock Chevy Cobalt has been unfamiliar to the four time champion since then.
Mopar has been a major player in the world of drag racing with countless championships since the dawn of the sport but lately, things have gone a little flat for the racers under the Pentastar. Bringing a multiple champion to the Mopar team, where he will join long time Mopar drag racer Allen Johnson, should give Chrysler and their Mopar division a stronger chance of bringing another NHRA championship to Mopar.
“I’m extremely excited to join forces with Mopar in 2012,” said Jeg Jr. “The entire Coughlin Brothers Racing team has high expectations for the 2012 season and we expect to field a premier program with our Mopar/JEGS.com Dodge Avenger team, from top to bottom.”
Like his new teammate Allen Johnson, Jeg Coughlin Jr. will pilot a Dodge Avenger Pro Stock race car powered by a mighty Hemi V8. Coughlin and Johnson will be the only two factory-backed Mopar Pro Stock drivers next season with Johnson flying the Mopar colors on his Avenger race car while Coughlin will continue to sport the bright yellow scheme and sponsorship of the Jeg’s performance franchise that carries Jeg’s name.
Other SEMA News:
Rhys Millen brings a 5.0L powered Hyundai Genesis Coupe to SEMA
Chip Foose helps WD40, SEMA charities unveil new custom Dodge Challenger SRT8 392
GM rolls out a life sized Camaro Hot Wheels model at the 2011 SEMA Show
GM pride beams as SEMA Show awards Chevrolet Camaro hottest car status
GM introduces the Chevrolet Camaro COPO Concept ahead of SEMA
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