Troy Coughlin took notice of the November 1, 2009 announcement proclaiming the NHRA would recognize the Get Screened America Pro Modified would be considered a professional division in 2010 and beyond. That bold announcement was enough to play on his inquisitive nature.

“Do you think my car would run well over in the NHRA Pro Modified?” Coughlin presented that question about his Pro Street Pontiac GXP to noted doorslammer legend Rickie Smith who had a larger plan. Little did the seven-time drag racing champion know that Coughlin did too.

“I’d be interested in running, if you were available,” Coughlin added.

Troy Coughlin took notice of the November 1, 2009 announcement proclaiming the NHRA would recognize the Get Screened America Pro Modified would be considered a professional division in 2010 and beyond. That bold announcement was enough to play on his inquisitive nature.

“Do you think my car would run well over in the NHRA Pro Modified?” Coughlin presented that question about his Pro Street Pontiac GXP to noted doorslammer legend Rickie Smith who had a larger plan. Little did the seven-time drag racing champion know that Coughlin did too.

“I’d be interested in running, if you were available,” Coughlin added.

He didn’t need to make that comment twice.

Smith will serve as crew chief for Coughlin with a nitrous-injected, 1968 Camaro powered by a Sonny Leonard engine.

Running a nitrous engine is what Coughlin had originally envisioned when he first harbored thoughts of running in Pro Modified back in the earlier part of the decade. He’s since run both a blown and turbo combination, but when it comes to Pro Modified, the nitrous combination was where his heart was always at.

“I remember standing on the starting early on when the Pro Mods ran at Gainesville, and really fell in love with the nitrous cars,” Coughlin said. “It’s unbelievable how it has all come full circle and we’re back with a nitrous car. I can remember Shannon Jenkins and Ronnie Hood racing their nitrous cars and that hooked me.”

Now Coughlin is as confident as he’s ever been in racing Pro Modified.

“I feel like we have a really good team and with Rickie leading us, we are looking forward to the new season,” Coughlin said.
 
Coughlin won the 2009 NMCA Pro Street championship and has one NHRA Pro Modified event win to his credit during the 2004 season. Prior to moving into Pro Modified, he was a successful NHRA Pro Stock driver with multiple victories.

Smith will also race his Pro Modified Camaro in addition to tuning Coughlin.

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