Jeg Coughlin Sr.
The
roots of the Coughlin family tree have been deeply implanted
in the drag racing community for 50 years, stretching
back to 1960 when Jeg Coughlin Sr. started JEGS Mail Order
as a local speed shop in downtown Columbus, Ohio. Since
that time, the patriarch of one of the most successful
drag racing families in history has proudly passed down
his love of the sport to each of his four sons, and the
2009 season proved that his passion for racing flows abundantly
in the veins of his grandchildren as well.
Jeg Sr. himself possesses a lengthy list of drag racing
accomplishments that reach further back than his namesake
company, highlighted by four NHRA North Central Division
championships: three in Top Fuel and two in Pro Comp.
The unassuming quarter-mile veteran accumulated 30 NHRA
divisional titles, including 11 consecutive Top Alcohol
Dragster victories, and scored a national event win in
a D-Gas Supercharged hot rod in 1959. He also runner-upped
four times at national events. Jeg Sr. attempted to quench
his insatiable appetite for speed with turns in Top Fuel,
Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car, Pro Stock,
A-Gas Supercharged, D-Gas Supercharged, C Stock, C Gas,
Modified Eliminator, Pro Comp, and Super Eliminator.
Well-respected across the community and in many forums,
Jeg Sr. holds membership in the Hot Rod Magazine Hall
of Fame, the NHRA North Central Division Hall of Fame,
and the Olentangy Business Hall of Fame in Powell, Ohio.
He was also honored with the Car Craft Magazine Ollie
Award for Lifetime Achievement, and on the business front,
his contributions to the high-performance parts industry
and his community have been regularly recognized. In 2002,
Jeg Sr. was named the Ernst & Young Master Entrepreneur
Of The Year, the world's most prestigious business award
for entrepreneurs who inspire others with their vision,
leadership, and achievement.
As
if fathering a family of triumphant racers and growing
JEGS Mail Order to a multi-million dollar operation weren't
enough to occupy his time, Jeg Sr. exemplifies resounding
compassion as he and his sons spearheaded the creation
of the privately funded JEGS Foundation for Cancer Research
and the "Racing for Research" program, which
has raised several million dollars for cancer research
since it's in inception. In 2005, the JEGS Foundation
established a named endowment in honor of Jeg Sr. at The
Ohio State University's James Cancer Center, the Jeg Coughlin
Sr. Chair in Cancer Research, which is currently occupied
by professor of medicine in the division of hematology
and oncology, Dr. Maura Gillison, MD, PhD.
A quiet but adamant supporter of his brood, Jeg Sr. remains
a fixture at the racetrack, serving as a valued and trusted
advisor to each of his sons and grandchildren. This season,
the proud grandfather watched firsthand as one of his grandsons,
Troy Jr., become the first third-generation Coughlin to
claim a national event victory when he survived eight strenuous
rounds of competition to score the Super Comp title at The
Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Just two weeks earlier,
Jeg Sr. beamed with pride as grandson Cody became the first
family member to clinch a championship in 2009 with a capture
of USAC's "Generation Next" .25 Midget crown.
Jeg
Sr. and his family had even more to celebrate in 2009
as the four Coughlin brothers racked up an honorable collection
of achievements: John and Mike earned respective Top Dragster
and Top Sportsman championships in the North Central Division,
Troy Sr. claimed the NMCA Pro Street championship, and
five-time Pro Stock champion Jeg Jr. ended the season
with more national event victories than any other driver
in the sport with seven wins in nine final rounds.
With steadfast resolve and a personable nature, Jeg Sr.
has laid the groundwork for a bushel of accomplishments
for himself and the entire Coughlin clan, paving the way
for a future laced with optimism as JEGS Mail Order celebrates
50 thriving years in the high performance auto parts industry
and his ever-expanding family continues to rule the quarter-mile.
NHRA WINS
| Year |
Event |
Class |
| 1976 |
Division III Champion
|
Pro Comp |
| 1977 |
Division III Champion
|
Top Fuel |
| 1978 |
Division III Champion
|
Top Fuel |
| 1980 |
Division III Champion
|
Top Fuel |
DIVISIONAL WINS
| Year |
Event |
Location |
Class |
| 1969 |
Windsor Dragway |
Detroit, MI
|
Super Eliminator |
| 1974 |
Tri-City Dragway |
Saginaw, MI |
Pro Comp |
| 1975 |
Beech Bend Raceway |
Bowling Green, KY
|
Pro Comp |
| 1974 |
National Trail Raceway |
Columbus, OH
|
Pro Comp |
| 1976 |
Edgewater Sports Park |
Cleves, OH |
Pro Comp |
| 1976 |
U.S. 131 Dragway |
Martin, MI |
Pro Comp |
| 1976 |
Indianapolis Raceway Park |
Indianapolis, IN
|
Pro Comp |
| 1977 |
Edgewater Sports Park |
Cleves, OH
|
Top Fuel |
| 1977 |
Edgewater Sports Park |
Cleves, OH
|
Top Fuel |
| 1978 |
Indianapolis Raceway Park |
Indianapolis, IN
|
Top Fuel |
| 1980 |
Edgewater Sports Park |
Cleves, OH
|
Top Fuel |
