After taking a year off from the intense grind of the ultra-competitive world of NHRA Pro Stock racing, Jeg Coughlin is returning in 2012 feeling refreshed and ready to go.

His new JEGS.com/Mopar Dodge Avenger has been prepared by an in-house engine team and he’s ready to return to the form that has netted the Ohio native four Pro Stock world championship titles and 52 victories.

Coughlin will make his return at a dragstrip that has been very good to him over the years, historic Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, Feb. 9-12, at the 52nd annual O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals presented by Super Start Batteries.

Coughlin has six victories at the famed Southern California track, including two at the Winternationals. He says it’s a great place to return to competition and his teams expectations are high.

After taking a year off from the intense grind of the ultra-competitive world of NHRA Pro Stock racing, Jeg Coughlin is returning in 2012 feeling refreshed and ready to go.

His new JEGS.com/Mopar Dodge Avenger has been prepared by an in-house engine team and he’s ready to return to the form that has netted the Ohio native four Pro Stock world championship titles and 52 victories.

Coughlin will make his return at a dragstrip that has been very good to him over the years, historic Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, Feb. 9-12, at the 52nd annual O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals presented by Super Start Batteries.

Coughlin has six victories at the famed Southern California track, including two at the Winternationals. He says it’s a great place to return to competition and his teams expectations are high.

“We’re looking to hit the ground pretty darn hard and compete for round wins and race wins right up front,” said Coughlin, who produced great results during testing in the offseason. “The true test will be in Pomona. We’re certainly looking to build our program. By the looks of our numbers that we ran in Palm Beach (testing), it looks like we’re going to be pretty close coming right out of the chute, which is pretty exciting.  I know (team engine builders) Nick (Ferri) and Roy (Simmons) with this new Hemi powerplant is all new to them. I think we’re going to come out pretty strong and certainly improve from there.”

Coughlin’s return will immediately increase the competition level, which will be tough as usual, as defending world champ Jason Line and his Summit Racing Equipment teammate Greg Anderson, who won the 2010 championship, are certainly the pre-season favorites. Mike Edwards leads a host of notable challengers who will return from last year’s top 10, including Allen Johnson, Erica Enders, Greg Stanfield, Rodger Brogdon and sophomore sensation Vincent Nobile.

“Coming back in, the game has definitely tightened up a little bit more,” Coughlin said. “In our case we assembled a team really from top to bottom. I’m really looking forward, from a behind the wheel standpoint, getting back out and rubbing heads with some of these guys and gals again.”

Coughlin, who won championships in 2000, 2002, 2007 and 2008, knows that working his way back into title contention with a brand new team will be a process.

“Pro Stock seems to go in phases where some teams dominate,” Coughlin said. “We certainly had our run since 2000 where we’ve won a few championships. KB (Racing) has won a handful with Jason (Line) and Greg (Anderson); and Mike Edwards has won a championship as well. There are a lot of extremely good teams out there right now.”

Even though he didn’t compete in NHRA Pro Stock competition, Coughlin says he made plenty of runs down dragstrips all across the United States in 2011, keeping his skills fine-tuned.

“I made close to 500 runs last year, mainly in what they call high-stakes bracket racing,” Coughlin said.  “I had a great season, probably one of my top-five seasons in my career. So the competitiveness and the drive was there. I was challenged pretty much week in and week out last year. From that standpoint, I feel I’m as ready as ever.”

Besides, this isn’t the first time Coughlin took a break from NHRA Pro Stock racing.

“I did take a season off in 2006, which was probably one of my best seasons ever in my life behind the wheel of racecars, and I came out swinging in ’07 and ’08, winning championships,” Coughlin said. “Maybe we’ll carry some of that momentum off of the idle season.”