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"When you consider how close these fields are getting,
just qualifying is a feat in itself," said Johnson. "We were a little
too conservative on the first run based on our previous experiences
in Columbus, but after we saw what this track would give us, we were
right in the middle of the ball game. Given the fact that we ran consistently,
we were happy."
Johnson defeated Mike Edwards in the first round of eliminations,
6.903 to Edwards' red-lighting 6.990. Mark Whisnant, Johnson's quarterfinal
round opponent, had a slightly quicker 6.899-second e.t. and earned
lane choice. Whisnant defeated W.J., 6.904 to 6.931, in the second round.
"When we lost lane choice, that was basically it," said
Johnson, who remains second in the POWERade championship standings,
86 points behind Jim Yates. "The track conditions weren't too bad, considering
how much water is in the ground and the heat on the track. We survived
one round, and we're still in good shape. It's just a matter of continuing
to fine tune the details and I think we'll be back in the driver's seat."
- Rick Voegelin
COUGHLINS RACE AT HOME TRACK
Jeg and Troy Coughlin started the day in the No. 13 and
No. 9 spots respectively.
Troy Coughlin and his yellow and black Jeg's Mail Order
Chevy Cavalier was the first of the two-car team to hit the track. Troy
lined up next to Mark Pawuk in the left lane. The two drivers had faced
off 10 times previously with Troy taking the win in four of the match
ups.
The advantage off of the line went to Pawuk. Both cars
ran into traction problems around the half-track mark and Pawuk lifted.
Troy sashayed the rear of the Jeg's Mail Order Cavalier from side-to-side
and took the hair-raising win for the hometown team.
"I did not see the other car next to me so I stayed with
it within reason. I pulled the parachutes before the finish line to
help straighten out the car and it worked just like it should. It was
a gratifying round win for all of our friends, family and Jeg's associates
that came to cheer us on," explained Troy.
2000 Pro Stock Champion Jeg Coughlin took of fellow Ohio
driver Ron Krisher in the opening round. The two had locked horns 16
times previously in their careers. Jeg held the decisive advantage with
10 wins as he rolled his Jeg's Mail Order machine to the line.
Jeg grabbed the starting line advantage by .025 seconds
(.446 to .471). The yellow and black Jeg's machine rocketed off of the
line and was in the lead until the last 100 feet. The margin of victory
was .0093 at the stripe. Jeg tripped the clocks at 6.936 at 197.88 mph
and Krisher ran a quicker 6.902 at 198.50 mph.
"A run like that is what Pro Stock is all about. This
class is getting more competitive every week and you rarely know that
you won until you hear your team on the radio. We were looking for a
little more success at our home track and just came up short," commented
Jeg. - Bill Halliday
KURT KWOTE
"I've never worked so hard and run so poorly in my life,"
said a disappointed Kurt Johnson, who DNQ'd at Columbus. "We know it's
not a horsepower problem because Dad is running fine with his engines.
We're going to have to sharpen our shovel, dig as deep as we can and
see what the heck is going on."
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