Stock Car racing officially comes to JEGS team

 

DELAWARE, Ohio (Feb. 8) -- A new era of racing begins this weekend when third-generation driver Cody Coughlin brings his JEGS.com Chevrolet Late Model Stock Car to New Smyrna Speedway in Florida for the 45th annual World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing.

Long known for their prowess on the drag strip, the entire Coughlin family and the 350-plus associates of JEGS Mail Order are thrilled to be branching out to round-track racing with 14-year-old Cody leading the way.

"It's an exciting time for JEGS because we're entering our first full season ever in the world of circle track racing," said Cody's father John Coughlin, a multi-time drag racing champion. "My brothers and dad and everyone at work have been so supportive and they're all as thrilled as I am about the season ahead. This is going to be fun."

Already a champion in the Heavy Mod division of USAC's .25-midget class, Cody has been preparing for 2011 with plenty of coaching from short-track legend Gary St. Amant and 2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series Raybestos Rookie of the Year Landon Cassill.

"Gary St. Amant has spent a lot of time with Cody, both in testing and around the shop," John said. "Landon Cassill has been down this same road and has proved to be an invaluable asset and friend to Cody. Fortunately for us, Landon is racing at Daytona so he'll already be in Florida and will be joining us in New Smyrna.

"The boys (Cody and Landon) also spend hours on end at iRacing.com and have raced every track they'll see this year over and over. The program is so realistic that the tracks won't seem completely new to them when they get there. It's a great teaching tool and it's a lot of fun."

The World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing runs from Feb. 11-19 and will feature Late Model action on seven of nine days.

"He'll be doing a lot of racing," John said. "We're ready to go. We hired Rich Lushes as our crew chief and his credentials are impressive. He came highly recommended and has certainly lived up to the billing already. I'm excited to see this relationship grow. We also have Clay Filson, Rick Rossiter, and John Szittai on the crew so we've managed to surround ourselves with some of the brightest minds in the sport.

"Cody's sister Kennedi is his biggest supporter and she's as excited as he is for this race. Race days can be long and exhausting at times but she's always got a big smile on her face and lots of words of encouragement. My wife Diana also will join us. She's a strong supporter and helps organize everything to help make our experience a comfortable true home away from home experience for the team. We couldn't do it without the girls, and we wouldn't want to; they are the best."

After the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing, Cody will compete in the 12-race JEGS Champions Racing Association All-Star Tour presented by GM Performance Parts.