motorntv.com - Newly crowned NMCA champ Coughlin looking for jackpot in Vegas

A month after capturing the world title in the National Muscle Car Association, Pro Street driver Troy Coughlin is ready to race for big bucks and bragging rights at this weekend's Street Car Super Nationals V presented by Chassisworks at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Coughlin will face more than 40 of the top drivers in the world in a classic East vs. West Shootout behind the wheel of his championship-winning JEGS.com Pontiac GXP. His racecar should be quick, as it won this year's NMCA national events in Chicago and Charlotte and recently reset the NMCA class record to 6.277 seconds at 225.08 mph. "We tested in Vegas a few weeks back and the car ran very well," Coughlin said. "I think we'll be a contender, although looking at the entry list I can see there's going to be a very talented group of race teams out there so we'll have our work cut out for us.

"I'm just excited to get back behind the wheel again. We've had a few weeks to enjoy our NMCA championship and now it's time to get back in the car and race." More than three dozen drivers have pre-entered for the event, including defending race champion Kirk Wilmes, last year's runner-up Vinny DeMieri, and IHRA frontrunners Dean and Cary Goforth. Hughes Performance has posted a cash prize of $20,000 for the event winner with up to $35,000 in contingency money also up for grabs. "We'll find out how we stack up," Coughlin said. "The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is one of the premiere racetracks in the country. I always enjoy racing there because the people at the track take great pride in having the nicest facility in the country. Plus, we're in Las Vegas, and that city is always exciting." In addition to Pro Street, the Street Car Super Nationals will feature action in 10 other categories, including Outlaw 10.5, X-Treme Drag Radial/TT-5, Wild Street, Hot Street, Limited Street, Mustang Maddness, Open Comp, Double Index 9.60/10.60, Super Index 7.60/8.60, and Bracket 1. Testing begins Thursday afternoon with the Pro Street Quickest Pass Challenge scheduled for at 8 p.m. Thursday night. Four rounds of Pro Street qualifying will be run at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday with sudden-death eliminations slated to start at 10 a.m. Sunday. There also will be an extensive car show and manufacturer's midway. Tickets are available for $25 per day or $60 for the entire four-day race. Children 6-12 cost $8 per day or $20 for the weekend. Children 5 and under are free. Visit www.streetcarsupernationals.com for more information.