Coughlin Ready to Stay “Hot” in “Hot-Lanta”
DELAWARE, OHIO – Cody Coughlin is already off to a strong start in 2017, scoring a career-best finish in last weekend’s race at Daytona International Speedway (FL) to open this season’s campaign. Now Ohio native is off to Atlanta to take on the ultra-fast 1.5-mile D-shaped oval of Atlanta Motor Speedway in Georgia for the first time in his budding career. Coughlin will drive the JEGS.com No. 13 Toyota Tundra for ThorSport Racing in Saturday’s (March 4) Active Pest Control 200 with the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
The 21-year-old driver has raced on multiple intermediate tracks prior to this weekend, but this will be his first race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Coughlin, however, does have some prior experience at “Hot-Lanta.” He participated in a rookie driver test session last season.
“Even though it was a over a year ago, I think that test session will definitely help me this weekend,” Coughlin said. “I have some knowledge to lean on heading into this weekend, and that is always good. Anytime you can be on a track for a substantial amount of time before you race is always a big help.”
Saturday will be the first intermediate race of the season under the new “Stage” format NASCAR is using in 2017 and beyond in all three of NASCAR’s national divisions. Last weekend’s race at Daytona was a wild one, and some attributed that to the new segment format. Coughlin said he expects more of the same this weekend in Atlanta.
“I think the stages have shown in the top three series this past weekend in Daytona that us drivers want to get those bonus points, so I would expect to see some aggression again,” explained Coughlin, a Joe Gibbs Racing Development Driver. “Hopefully it won’t be as aggressive as Daytona, but if it is, I just hope that our JEGS.com Toyota Tundra won’t be involved in any of it and we can have a strong solid day. I know my team at ThorSport Racing will give me a great Toyota Tundra.”
Coughlin’s ThorSport team is led by crew chief Michael Shelton. He will be calling the shots from atop the pit box and spotter Terry Cook will be guiding the up-and-coming racer from high above the racetrack.
“It was great working with Michael and Terry and all of the guys this past weekend in Daytona. I feel like our communication was really good and it’s only going to get better as the season goes on. I know Michael will give me a great Tundra to drive, so hopefully I can get us a good result to make him, the rest of the team and Duke and Rhonda proud. God has blessed me with a great opportunity this year and I’m ready to use it to help this team continue its success.”
Coughlin will hit the track for the first time this weekend on Friday, March 3 for three practice sessions. The first session will start at 11 a.m. ET. The second practice session begins at 2:30 p.m. and final practice will go green at 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 4 is Active Pest Control 200 race day. Coughlin’s day will begin with an autograph session at the track at 9:00 a.m. ET. Pole qualifying for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series is up next at 10:40 a.m. Driver introductions will take place at 4 p.m. with the green flag to follow 4:30 p.m. ET.
The Active Pest Control 200 is a 130-lap race. Stage one and two will be 40 laps in distance. The final Stage will be 50 laps.
For more information on Cody Coughlin and Team JEGS, visit codycoughlin.com and follow Cody on Twitter, @Cody_Coughlin. Follow Team JEGS on Twitter, @TeamJEGS, and “Like”JEGS Performance on Facebook. Follow ThorSport Racing on Twitter, @ThorSportRacing, and visit them online at ThorSport.com. If you need more information regarding ThorSport please contact Kate Fegley via email at kate.fegley@gmail.com. Any other inquiries for Cody Coughlin can be sent to Bob Dillner via email at bd51sports@gmail.com.
About JEGS Automotive, Inc.
In 1960, Jeg Coughlin Sr. founded JEGS as a small speed shop. It has grown into a high-performance powerhouse that includes a race team (Team JEGS), 250,000 square foot warehouse, retail store, mail order and website. The 350+ employees at JEGS still strongly believe and practice our simply business philosophy: Customer Care is #1. For more information about JEGS Automotive, Inc. visit JEGS.com.
About Ride Television Network, Inc.
Ride Television Network, Inc. is a privately held corporation based in Fort Worth, Texas. The company was formed in 2011 for the purpose of launching a 24-hour, high definition, television network. RIDE TV launched on October 1, 2014 in the United States and is now available internationally. The network features high-quality television programming showcasing both English and Western disciplines and lifestyles and includes live events, reality shows, talk shows, children’s programming, documentaries and more. For more information about RIDE TV, please visit www.ridetv.com.
About ThorSport Racing
ThorSport Racing, based in Sandusky, Ohio, is the longest-tenured NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team. ThorSport Racing, which has competed in the NCWTS since 1996, will run the No. 88 Menards Toyota Tundra driven by two-time NCWTS drivers’ champion Matt Crafton, the No. 13 JEGS/RIDE TV Toyota Tundra driven by Cody Coughlin, the No. 27 Tundra driven by Ben Rhodes, and the No. 98 RIDE TV/Champion Power Equipment/Jive Communications/Curb Records Toyota Tundra driven by Grant Enfinger. For more information visit www.ThorSport.com.
Sources: Bob Dillner/Cody Coughlin Racing PR