Samantha Coughlin

Competition has been a part of Samantha Coughlin's life nearly as long as she could walk.

"I'm always looking for that next challenge," she said. "It doesn't matter if it's at the drag strip or practicing yoga, I always seek out that next goal to reach."

From her early years ice skating in her native Canada to now racing a Super Comp car for Team JEGS, Samantha Coughlin, wife of multi-time NHRA champion Jeg Coughlin Jr., comes from competitive roots.

Samantha's love of drag racing was passed down to her from her family. Her father, Al Kenny, is an accomplished driver and the Kenny family, including mom, Carol; brother, Jason, a top racer in his own right and Samantha were right by Al's side for the highs and lows of a Sportsman racer.

"One of my earliest memories is going to watch my dad crew chief on Herb Rogers' Alcohol Funny Car in the early 90's," Samantha said. "I'll also never forget sitting in the computer room with Mom and Jason listening online as Dad won his first national event in Super Comp at Atlanta in 2001."

It didn't take long for Samantha to get the racing bug herself. She got her NHRA license in 2003 and raced her dad's Super Gas Corvette roadster in 2004. She collected her first National Event win at Norwalk in 2009 driving a family-prepped Super Comp car.

"Racing has always been a big part of my life and my family," Samantha said. "Joining Team JEGS and the Coughlin family is an extension of what I've always been a part of." Before starting her driving career, Samantha was an award-winning ice skater. From the time she started competing at age 6, Samantha amassed 155 medals in various competitions across Canada, including a third place finish in an international competition in Ottawa in her career finale.

"Skating and drag racing are both family events," Samantha said. "Your successes are so much more meaningful when your family is by your side. I've been blessed with a great family and have now married into another one."