NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Pro Stock standout Troy Coughlin Jr. returns to Firebird Motorsports Park this weekend with hopes to capitalize on his success at last season’s NHRA Arizona Nationals.

Last year, Coughlin earned the first Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge race for the Pro Stock category, which came off a season-opening win in Gainesville. The specialty event, which provides a bonus purse and bonus championship points while also bringing competitive race to qualifying, kicked off at last year’s NHRA Arizona Nationals and has been a highlight to the Saturday schedule at all NHRA national events.

“It’s always an honor to be the first winner, so to speak,” Coughlin said of his Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge win. “I think we have all the confidence in the world to get after [an event win] in Phoenix.”

A strong weekend in Phoenix at this weekend’s 39th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals would do wonders for Coughlin and his JEGS.com / White Castle Pro Stock team. They are off to a slow start so far during the 2024 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season with back-to-back first-round losses in Gainesville and Pomona. But Coughlin hopes a big result in Phoenix can get the team on track moving into the thick of the season.

“You never want to start off the way we’ve started, but it’s part of drag racing, and it’s part of competition in general,” Coughlin said. “Setbacks are just setups for comebacks. We have all the great people involved and wonderful partners as well as fantastic equipment. I can’t wait to keep going. We need to put it back in line and keep marching with it.”

Justin Ashley (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car), and Camrie Caruso (Pro Stock) all collected Wallys in Phoenix in 2023. This year’s race will again be broadcast on FS1, including a special NHRA in 30: Pomona Finals show at 10 p.m. ET on Saturday and Arizona Nationals eliminations at 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday. It is the third of 20 races during the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season, and the final rounds of the NHRA Winternationals will also take part in Phoenix.

To get his first victory of the 2024 campaign, Coughlin will have to take down a stellar field in Pro Stock, including teammate and defending world champion Erica Enders, who is after her 50th career national event victory, Greg Anderson, Aaron Stanfield, Dallas Glenn, and defending event winner Caruso, who rolled to her first career Pro Stock victory last year in Phoenix.

But Coughlin also enjoyed a nice run last year at Firebird Motorsports Park, noting the strong history of success for the Coughlin family at the famed facility.

“Phoenix been great to [the Coughlin family],” Coughlin said. “It’s a great race track, and I’m excited to go back. There’s a lot of great memories there. Whether you win there or not, it’s a great place to race.” 

NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature one round at 4 p.m. PT on Friday, April 5, and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, April 6 at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. PT on Sunday, April 7. Television coverage includes action on FS1 at 9:30 p.m. ET on Friday and then the special NHRA in 30: Pomona Finals show at 10 p.m. ET on Saturday. Sunday coverage includes qualifying at 10:30 a.m. and eliminations at 6:30 p.m. ET.
 
To purchase tickets to the final NHRA Arizona Nationals, fans can visit www.NHRA.com/tickets. Children 12 and under are free in general-admission areas with the purchase of an adult ticket.