Tick Tock – Time for Coughlin to Race for a Grandfather Clock
DELAWARE, OH – After nearly a month off, Cody Coughlin is ready to get back behind the wheel; only this time he’ll be doing something he’s accustomed to, short-track racing. The short track ace will head to the famous paperclip of Martinsville Speedway in Virginia for the first time in his career on Saturday, April 1 in the Alpha Energy Solutions 250 for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
The 250-lap battle is Coughlin’s first short track event with the NCWTS and first since making history in 2016 by becoming the only driver to win two Champion Racing Association titles (ARCA/CRA Super Series and JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour) in one year.
Martinsville Speedway is very different from the fast, high-banked half-mile of Winchester Speedway (IN) where Coughlin clinched his historic feat. Martinsville is a flat half-mile with curbs on the inside of each corner, making the facility very treacherous.
“I’m really looking forward to Martinsville,” Coughlin said. “I come from a short track background, and that’s definitely going to help. But Martinsville is very unique, so I’m still expecting a challenge.”
To help get prepared for his first Martinsville start, Coughlin has been leaning on his veteran teammate, Matt Crafton, an accomplished short track racer himself and multi-time winner at Martinsville.
“My teammates have helped me a bunch to get prepared for this race,” said Coughlin. “Being able to communicate with someone such as Matt Crafton on a regular basis is huge for me as a rookie. I think with my ability on short tracks and the knowledge I’ve gained from speaking with Matt; I’m ready to get after it. Hopefully we can bring a grandfather clock back to Sandusky for Duke and Rhonda (Thorson – Owners of ThorSport Racing).”
Coughlin will hit the track for the first of two practice sessions on Friday, March 31 at 1 p.m. ET. Final practice will begin at 3 p.m. ET on Friday. Fans will have the chance to meet Cody Coughlin on Friday at the NCWTS autograph session at 5 p.m. ET.
Saturday, April 1 is Alpha Energy Solutions 250 race day at Martinsville Speedway, and it will begin with knockout qualifying at 11:05 a.m. ET, with the 250-lap race set to go green at 3 p.m. ET. The stage lengths for Saturday’s race are 70, 70, and 110 laps.
Coughlin’s JEGS.com / RIDE TV team will be lead by veteran crew chief Michael Shelton. Terry Cook, a former NCWTS driver himself, will guide Cody and the No. 13 Toyota Tundra as the team’s spotter.
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 PR