After nearly two decades behind the wheel of a wide variety of race cars, Troy Coughlin claimed his first championship in 2009 when he drove his JEGS.com Pontiac GXP to the National Muscle Car Association (NMCA) Pro Street title. Coughlin posted two victories during the season in Chicago and Charlotte and clinched the title at the final event in Memphis, Tenn., with a performance that included a national record run.

"The Pro Street class is very competitive and we had to fight all season for this championship," Coughlin said. "There were about six of us that were very close through the first two or three races and I figured some would drop off but that never happened.

"We won the race in Chicago and set a national record, which gave us a lot of points, but it wasn't enough for us to move into first. It wasn't until we won Charlotte that we finlly got to first place."

After nearly two decades behind the wheel of a wide variety of race cars, Troy Coughlin claimed his first championship in 2009 when he drove his JEGS.com Pontiac GXP to the National Muscle Car Association (NMCA) Pro Street title. Coughlin posted two victories during the season in Chicago and Charlotte and clinched the title at the final event in Memphis, Tenn., with a performance that included a national record run.

"The Pro Street class is very competitive and we had to fight all season for this championship," Coughlin said. "There were about six of us that were very close through the first two or three races and I figured some would drop off but that never happened.

"We won the race in Chicago and set a national record, which gave us a lot of points, but it wasn't enough for us to move into first. It wasn't until we won Charlotte that we finlly got to first place."

Coughlin didn't win the final event of the season in Memphis, but he did reset the elapsed time record for a second time with a 6.277-second blast, while reaching the semifinals and officially locking up the championship for good.

"Going into the Memphis race it was very intense because there were still three guys who could pass us and we knew the conditions were right for someone to earn bonus points by setting a record," Coughlin said. "I got worried after our car broke on the first two qualifying runs. But the guys dug down and on Sunday we beat Billy Glidden in the second round and set the record at the same time and that iced it."

For Coughlin, who spent several years racing Pro Stock on the NHRA tour alongside his younger brother Jeg Jr., the NMCA series is a perfect fit since he is able to race 10-12 times a year instead of 23-24 times, which allows for much more time with his family. The opportunity to climb behind the wheel of a 225-mph Pontiac also helps to fulfill his need for speed.

"Racing at NMCA events this year was a lot of fun," Coughlin said. "The schedule allows me to spend more time at home but the racers that go to these events are as serious as anyone I've ever met. And, some of the street cars out here are amazing. I've been able to meet a lot of new friends in the street car world and it has given us a whole new customer base for JEGS Mail Order."

After clinching the title, Coughlin headed west for the Pacific Street Car Association Street Car Super Nationals in Las Vegas, an event that has quickly become one of the premiere street car racing events of the season. Racing in a field of more than 50 Pro Street entries, Coughlin qualified solidly and went to the semifinals on race day.

"That race was very tough because the rules don't really favor a car like mine," Coughlin said. "It was like bringing a knife to a gun fight but we were able to make some good consistent runs and it was a very good way to end the season."

Coughlin also found other reasons to celebrate in 2009 as his son, Troy Jr., became the first third-generation Coughlin racer to win an NHRA national event when he won the Super Comp title at the Las Vegas Nationals in November.

"He did an outstanding job and I couldn't be more proud of him," Coughlin said. "My only regret is I wasn't there to see it. I talked to him on the phone right after he won and I told him, 'Go enjoy the moment.' The first win is always special and I wanted him to experience everything that goes with it. Hopefully, that's a first of many for him."

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