Bourgeois, Coughlin lead winners at Jegs.com Cajun SPORTSnationals
(4-24-2006) - Racing completed Sunday at the NHRA Jegs.com Cajun SPORTSnationals being held at No Problem Raceway with hometown driver Craig Bourgeois of Metairie, La., taking home the championship trophy in the Comp eliminator category, and Jeg Coughlin of Delaware, Ohio, finishing first in the Top Dragster class.
With a pass of 6.996 seconds at 187.91 mph, Bourgeois held off Dick Maris of Valrico, Fla., who finished with a pass of 7.002 seconds at 167.63 mph. Coughlin earned his first win at the Cajun SPORTSnationals with a victory over Timmy Graves of Denham Springs, La. Coughlin’s pass of 7.502 seconds at 160.84 mph was enough to beat Graves’ pass of 7.765 seconds at 171.69 mph.
“It’s great to win anywhere,” said Jeg Coughlin when asked how it felt to win the Jeg’s.com SPORTSnationals. “We had a great time down here and I’m really looking forward to running the Jeg’s Northern SPORTSnationals in Columbus. I was running the NHRA POWERade Series last year and didn’t get to race it.”
In Super Street, Sid Norwood of Brandon, Miss., earned the win in his ’80 Corvette over Bart Dufrene Jr, of Des Allemands, La., with a pass of 10.889 seconds at 151.43 mph. This is the second year in a row that Norwood took home the winner’s trophy.
“Any day you can come down here to Louisiana and beat these guys, you’ve had a great day,” expressed Norwood. “We won here last year and lost in Columbus in the semi-finals. We’re definitely going back to Columbus. We want that Jeg’s Crown!”
The event’s winners in all categories now have the opportunity to win the prestigious Jeg’s Crown if they go on to win the NHRA Jeg’s Northern SPORTSnationals. In 2005, Mike Ashley was the only driver to take home the Crown.
In other categories, Kevin Helms of Mineola, Texas, in his '95 Achieva, won Super Stock; Ed Stuart of Pensacola, Fla., won Top Sportsman in his ’04 Cavalier; Steve Cohen of Trilby, Fla., put his ’04 Super Comp dragster in the winner’s circle; Jarrod Granier of Labadievelle, La., won with his ’97 Camaro in Stock Eliminator; and Jerry Debusk of La Porte, Texas, took home the Super Gas trophy in his ’92 Probe.
Benny Smith, Jr. of Baton Rouge, La., claimed the “King of the Bayou” title on Saturday with the “best package” in Super Comp edging out Shannon Brinkley of Highlands, Texas, and Bryan Sandlin of Baytown, Texas. Smith won $500 courtesy of Laris Insurance Agency for having the “best package” in Super Comp and received and an extra $1000 courtesy of Southland International for taking the overall “King of the Bayou” title.
In Saturday’s Mopar Hemi Super Stock Shootout, Charlie Westcott Jr., in his '68 Barracuda, took home the Mopar Trophy and $5000 purse. Bucky Hess, in his ’68 Barracuda, outran Westcott but failed to pass post race inspection, disqualifying him from the race.
The following are the final results from the NHRA Jegs.com Cajun SPORTSnationals being held this weekend at No Problem Raceway:
TOP SPORTSMAN
Ed Stuart, Pensacola, Fla., '04 Cavalier, 7.641, 179.23 def.
Dan Morrow, Bradenton, Fla., '06 GTO, 7.058, 195.22.
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Westcott wins Mopar Hemi title as Jegs.com Cajun SPORTSnats roll on
(4-22-2006) - Two-time defending champion Charlie Westcott Jr. again claimed the Mopar Hemi Super Stock Challenge title at the NHRA Jegs.com Cajun SPORTSnationals at No Problem Raceway in Belle Rose, La., after final-round winner Bucky Hess was disqualified after a post-race teardown revealed a carburetor violation.
According to the NHRA Tech Department, the infraction was an “illegal butterfly modification” on the carburetor provided to Hess by an outside vendor. Hess had raced to an 8.741-second lap at 153.07 mph and the apparent win as Westcott broke in the final round.
Troy Coughlin knocked off Greg Lair in the Didier Communications Top Sportsman Shootout with a run of 6.689 seconds at 204.57 mph. Coughlin covered the field throughout eliminations running 6.693 and 6.687 seconds in rounds one and two prior to meeting up with Lair.
“We qualified well and the car was set,” said Coughlin after the win. “Then the weather changed and we had to change some things around. We went to our notebook, did a little homework, and had a great day.”
Coughlin is also the No. 1 qualifier in Top Sportsman for the Jeg’s.com Cajun SPORTSnationals event which will start eliminations on Sunday morning.
Craig Bourgeois held on to the No. 1 spot in Comp Eliminator running 6.889 seconds, 0.651 seconds under the index. The Matairie, La., racer is followed by Michael Johnson of Springdale, Ark., with an 8.722 second lap, 0.638 seconds under.
Westcott’s father Charlie Sr., qualified No. 1 in Super Stock running 9.551 in his ’98 Grand Am followed by Jerry Silveus in second and Donaldsonville, La., resident J. Allen Sherman in the No. 4 spot.
Robert Shaw put his ’85 Chevy on top in Stock Eliminator with a 14.397 second run and Freddie Sandrock finished No. 1 in Top Dragster covering the quarter-mile in 6.800 seconds at 199.64 mph. Michael Kile of Westlake, La., qualified second in the 28-car field full of Louisiana racers.
Racing continues Sunday at 9:00 with round one of eliminations. Gates open at 7 a.m. and tickets are $20. For more information, call No Problem Raceway at 985-369-3692.
The following are results from the Hemi Challenge and Top Sportsman Shootout and from Saturday’s final qualifying results for the NHRA Jeg’s.com Cajun SPORTSnationals Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at No Problem Raceway.
TOP SPORTSMAN SHOOTOUT
Round 1:
Lee Adkins Jr, Linden TN, '57 Chevy, Left lane, (0.053) 6.827 200.50 def.
Scott Randall, Carrollton TX, '02 Cavalier, (0.078) 6.969 202.58
Troy Coughlin, Delaware OH, '04 Cavalier, Left lane, (0.089) 6.693 208.81 def.
Keith Raferty, Lake Charles LA, '03 Pontiac, (0.049) 7.006 200.50
TOP SPORTSMAN 1) Troy Coughlin, Delaware, Ohio, '04 Cavalier, 6.616 seconds, 209.79 mph
2) Earl Folse, Raceland, La., '68 Camaro, 6.806, 203.40
3) Lee Adkins Jr, Linden, Tenn., '57 Chevy, 6.848, 201.22
4) Greg Lair, Canyon, Texas, '05 Grand Am, 6.900, 200.32
5) J. Lee Didier II, Fort Smith, Ark., '04 Cavalier, 6.920, 199.88
6) Keith Raftery, Lake Charles, La., '03 Pontiac, 6.945, 203.16
7) Joseph Mohana, Bourg, La., '05 Cobalt, 6.955, 199.70
8) Bert Prejean, St. Amant, La., '06 GTO, 6.957, 200.77
9) Scott Randall, Carrollton, Texas, '02 Cavalier, 6.958, 201.97
10) Tommy Turner, Naples, Fla., '04 Cavalier, 6.962, 200.08
TOP DRAGSTER 1) Freddie Sandrock, Bay St. Louis, Miss., dragster, 6.800 seconds, 199.64 mph
2) John Garner, Houston, Texas, dragster, 6.979, 193.54
3) Andre Landry, Pierre Part, La., dragster, 7.002, 192.60
4) Michael Kile, Westlake, La., dragster, 7.036, 196.42
5) Timmy Graves, Denham Spgs, La., dragster, 7.097, 187.86
6) Brandon Chauvin, Gonzales, La., dragster, 7.107, 188.17
7) Loretta Eckert, Calhoun, La., dragster, 7.126, 190.00
8) Gary Mock, Prairieville, La., dragster, 7.144, 191.67
9) George Tyler, Franklin, La., dragster, 7.144, 188.75
10) Chris Bermond, Bay St Louis, Miss., dragster, 7.183, 191.29
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Racing kicks off at third annual Jeg’s.com Cajun SPORTSnationals
(4-21-2006) - Action kicked off Friday at the NHRA Jegs.com Cajun SPORTSnationals at No Problem Raceway with Craig Bourgeois grabbing the top spot in Comp Eliminator. The Metarie, La., racer covered the quarter-mile in 6.889 seconds, 0.651 seconds under the index, and is followed by Michael Johnson in his '03 Cavalier at 8.722 seconds, 0.651 seconds under.
Troy Coughlin jumped to the No. 1 position in his Jeg’s Mail Order Top Sportsman Cavalier by running 6.661 seconds at 209.79 mph in his second qualifying pass.
“We made a few adjustments from our first run were we had some problems. The second pass was right where we wanted it,” Coughlin said. “We’ve been running the Top Sportsman class off and on since last year and are having a lot of fun. The class is really growing.”
Coughlin is followed by Greg Lair of Canyon, Texas, with a 6.938-second run at 198.61 mph.
In Top Dragster, Freddie Sandrock leads the field with a run of 6.800 seconds at 199.64 mph and is followed by John Garner of Houston, and Andre Landry of Pierre Part, La. Garner is second with a 6.979-second lap while Landry is third at 7.002 seconds at 192.60 mph.
Charlie Westcott is No. 1 in Super Stock running 9.551 seconds, 1.249 seconds under the index with his son, Charlie Westcott Jr., in fourth in Super Stock and No. 1 in qualifying for the Mopar Hemi Super Stock Challenge, a $5,000 winner-take-all-event scheduled for Saturday. Jr. ran 8.670 seconds in his '68 Plymouth, 1.130 seconds under.
“We did some testing earlier this year and haven’t run very well but we made a few changes and the car picked up today,” said Westcott Jr., who has won the Mopar Hemi Shootout the last two years at No Problem Raceway.
Gilbert Johnson Jr. of Lecompte, La., is No. 2 in the Super Stock field and local runner J. Allan Sherman of Donaldsonville, La., is No. 3 at 9.044 seconds, 1.156 under.
Robert Shaw leads the Stock Eliminator field with a 14.397-second pass, 1.403 seconds under, followed by Kent LaPorte out of New Iberia, La., running 11.795 seconds, 1.155 under.
No Problem Raceway hosted a Media-Celebrity Challenge Race on Thursday with several media representatives and local community leaders showing their skills on the drag strip. Darlene Landry, clerk of the Lafourche Parish Court, took the win over Eric Roundtree with a run of 15.96 seconds in her Dodge Hemi truck.
Racing continues Saturday at 9 a.m. Gates open at 7 a.m. Tickets are $20 Saturday and $20 Sunday. For more information, call No Problem Raceway at 985-369-2692.
The following are Friday’s qualifying results from the NHRA Jeg’s.com Cajun SPORTSnationals Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at No Problem Raceway: ( Eric Lotz, NHRA Director of Field Marketing)
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JEG'S to sponsor SPORTSnationals Friday night bracket race (NHRA/JEG'S)
(4-21-2006) - JEG'S Automotive, Inc. will sponsor and host a special Friday night eight-mile gambler’s race at No Problem Raceway April 21 prior to the Jegs.com Cajun SPORTSnationals. The race is open to all contestants of the Jegs.com Cajun SPORTSnationals event and they must drive a vehicle that is entered in the event.
Entry fee is $100 and is open to the first 128 entries. Based upon 128 entries, the payout schedule will be 100 percent of the entry fees received, or will be prorated if less than 128 entries.
“I spoke to Pat Joffrion who agreed to help us out with this bracket race,” said Jeg Coughlin. “Pat agreed to provide his staff to put on the bracket race. The racers will be able to participate in this special race without having to spend any additional travel expenses.”
Scotty Richardson won the special event last year at No Problem.
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After three week delay, Coughlin ready for Top Sportsman debut at Indy
(4-21-2006) - When the Division 3 Lucas Oil Series opener at Indianapolis Raceway Park was delayed by three weeks due to rain, it proved to be blessing in disguise for Mike Coughlin and Team Jeg’s. The delay gave Coughlin enough time to make several test runs in his new JEG'S Mail Order Chevy Cobalt Top Sportsman entry. Coughlin recently completed an extensive test at the team’s home track, National Trail Raceway, where he made numerous mid-seven second runs, including a 7.20 at over 192-mph, the quickest and fastest run of his career. Now, he believes he has the potential to win some rounds.
“Our test session went real well and now I think we're finally ready to go racing,” said Coughlin. “Actually, I was ready to race this car three weeks ago but I feel much more comfortable now than I did then. Having the ability to test has probably cut our learning curve in half.
“When I used to race in Pro Stock Truck, I ran in the 7.30s at over 180-mph but this new Top Sportsman car is quicker than that. Even though the car is quicker, it is very smooth. I have to give [chassis builder] Jerry Bickel a lot of credit for building a car that was pretty much ready to go the day it was delivered. We only had to make a couple of very minor changes and the car was ready to go. Hopefully, we can now contend for the Division 3 Top Sportsman championship.”
Coughlin has parked his JEG'S Mail Order Super Comp dragster so that he can fully concentrate on his new Top Sportsman entry. Coughlin’s brother, John plans to make his 2006 debut this weekend behind the wheel of his Super Stock Chevy Cavalier and his JEG'S Mail Order Super Comp dragster.
“I have always said that Indianapolis Raceway Park is one of our favorite places to race,” said John, who will be driving the same dragster that Brad Plourd drove to the U.S. Nationals Super Comp title at Indianapolis Raceway Park last year. “Going back to the days when our dad raced in Top Fuel our family has had a lot of success at this track and hopefully Mike and I can continue that tradition this weekend. It’s been a long off-season and that rain delay only made it seem longer. We're ready to go racing again.”
Qualifying for the Division 3 Lucas Oil Series event at Indianapolis Raceway Park will begin on Friday, April 21 and final eliminations are scheduled for Sunday, April 23.
JEG'S SPORTSnationals on Inside Drag Racing
(4-21-2006) - The popular Inside Drag Racing program on ESPN2 will carry extensive coverage of both JEG'S-sponsored SPORTSnationals events in 2006. Highlights of the JEGS.com Cajun SPORTSnationals will hit the airwaves at 11 a.m. ET on June 11, while the footage of the JEG'S Northern SPORTSnationals will air at 11 a.m. (ET) on August 20.
WHAT: Third annual JEGS.com NHRA Cajun SPORTSnationals, a national event exclusively for NHRA Sportsman competitors in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. Sportsman competitors in six categories will be featured in competition, while five of those categories will earn points leading to 2006 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series national championships. Featured NHRA Lucas Oil Series categories include Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street.
WHERE: No Problem Raceway Park, Belle Rose, La. Exit 1-10 at Sorrento (Exit 182). Follow exit to Hwy 70 (Sunshine Bridge -Donaldsonville). Cross Sunshine Bridge and remain in the left lane. Follow Hwy. 70 for 12 miles toward Morgan City. Three miles past the intersection of Hwy 70 & 1, turn right onto Hwy. 996. Track is one mile on the right.
WHEN: Friday through Sunday, April 21-23.
PURSE: Guaranteed purse of more than $50,000.
SCHEDULE:
FRIDAY, April 21:
Qualifying and time trials, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
TOP SPORTSMAN and COMP ELIMINATOR QUALIFYING at 1 and 5 p.m.
PROFESSIONAL EXHIBITION RACING throughout the day
SATURDAY, April 22:
Qualifying and time trials, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
TOP SPORTSMAN SHOOTOUT at 2, 4 and 6 p.m.
COMP ELIMINATOR QUALIFYING at 2 and 4 p.m.
PROFESSIONAL EXHIBITION RACING throughout the day
SUNDAY, April 23:
FINAL ELIMINATIONS begin at 9 a.m.
TOP SPORTSMAN/COMP ELIMINATOR round 1 begins at 10 a.m.
PROFESSIONAL EXHIBITION RACING throughout the day
SPECIAL EVENTS:
Stock and Super Stock class eliminations; Super Stock Hemi Shootout; Exhibition passes will be made by NHRA POWERade Series Top Fuel and Pro Stock Motorcycle teams.
DEFENDING WINNERS:
Michael Johnson (Comp); Hugh Meeks III (Super Stock); Jeff Strickland (Stock); Scotty Richardson (Super Gas); Mike Coughlin (Super Comp); Sid Norwood (Super Street).
ABOUT THE TRACK:
No Problem Raceway Park is a 200-acre, multi-use motorsports park located 55 miles southwest of New Orleans in Assumption Parish on Hwy. 996. Nestled on a ridge in the backwoods of Southern Louisiana, the quarter-mile track sits 12 feet above sea level. In addition to the drag strip, the facility also features a 14-turn, 1.8 mile road course. The track was built in Oct. 2001 by four drag racers with a $5 million initial investment. Pat Joffrion is the track's general manager.
TICKETS:
For tickets contact No Problem Raceway Park, (985) 369-3692 or visit www.noproblemraceway.com.
