NHRA News: Cajun excitement is brewing (4/22/2004)

Cajun excitement is brewing

4/22/2004

Jeg Coughlin Sr.

Although the NHRA Cajun SPORTSnationals is a new event, the formula of success is well mapped-out throughout NHRA history. Bayou Country has been a hotbed for NHRA Drag Racing for years.

The NHRA Cajun Nationals was a race filled with true NHRA Drag Racing heritage. The well-known event lived a life in the heyday of drag racing from 1977-1991. Marquee drivers like Bob Glidden, Lee Shepherd and Butch Leal battled fearlessly to take home the title in Pro Stock. Billy Meyer, Raymond Beadle, Don "the Snake" Prudhomme, and Tom "the Mongoose" McEwen all made their presence felt in Funny Car through the years. Winners in Top Fuel included Richard Tharp, Kelly Brown, Gary Beck, Jeb Allen, Mark Oswald, Larry Minor, "Big Daddy" Don Garlits, Dick LaHaie, Darrell Gwynn, Gene Snow, and the late Gary Ormsby.

The NHRA held SPORTSnational-style events from 1974 to 1986. These special events were run at three tracks filled with tradition – Beech Bend Raceway, Houston International Dragway, and Indianapolis Raceway Park.

Fast forward to 2004 and a new event has taken shape. Keeping in mind the tradition of the Cajun Nationals and various SPORTSnational events run in the past, a new event was born. The NHRA Cajun SPORTSnationals will be run at No Problem Raceway in Belle Rose, La. The event is considered part of the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series for the six sportsman classes competing – Comp, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas, and Super Street.

Darrell Russell (pictured) and Scott Palmer will be making exhibition passes in their Top Fuel dragsters.
Racers Edge Photography

In addition to the sportsman racing on the track there will be a number of exhibition runs. Darrell Russell and Scott Palmer will represent the Top Fuel class for the fans. Jeg and Troy Coughlin will blaze down the quarter-mile in their Jeg's Mail Order Chevy Cavalier Pro Stock cars. Redell Harris, Michael Phillips, and Gary Tonglet will be on hand to take care of the Pro Stock Bike fans.

"There has been a lot of buzz about this event since early in the planning process," Jeg Coughlin said. "The excitement and enthusiasm has given competitors a lot to look forward to."

Jeg will also get behind the wheel of his Jeg's Mail Order dragster in Super Comp action this weekend. The last time the 45-time NHRA national event winner got behind the wheel in Super Comp was last season in Dallas.

"My brother Troy and I are going to be making some exhibition and test runs in our Pro Stock cars," Jeg said. "I actually had a couple people offer me a ride at this event but my brother John had previous plans with his family for this weekend and that freed up some space in the trailer so we loaded up the dragster. I am really looking forward to competing in such a great event."

Jeg's other brother Mike Coughlin will be pulling double duty this weekend, racing in Super Comp and Super Gas in a quest to score the 101st victory for the Coughlin family.

"I remember going to the Cajun Nationals when my dad raced Top Fuel with our crew cab dualie and Chaparral Trailer," Mike said. "We were my dad's crew and we had top speed of the event at 249.80 mph. Dad beat 'Big Daddy' in the first round and I can remember it like it was yesterday. I am really excited to be a part of the NHRA Cajun SPORTSnationals this year and hope to create some more family memories."

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