InsideTopAlcohol

NORWALK, Ohio (May 20) -- Only a few races into his Top Alcohol Dragster career, Troy Coughlin Jr. drove the JEGS.com McPhillips Racing rail to the winner's circle by dominating the Cavalcade of Stars presented by Budweiser Sunday in what was clearly the best car of the meet.

"Winning this race in this car with this team, right here in the great state of Ohio at this track, it just doesn't get any better," Coughlin said. "To be the No. 1 qualifier and convert that into a race win is very satisfying. I've known from the start this McPhillips Racing team was capable of winning and dominating like this and to have it come together after just a handful of starts says a lot about this tenacious crew."

It's the 13th victory for the Delaware, Ohio native but his first in the Top Alcohol Dragster class. He's previously won races in Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Pro, and also has competed in Top Fuel and Pro Mod, where he was rookie of the year in 2015.

"Rich McPhillips and his son Rich Jr. are phenomenal tuners," Coughlin said. "My crew guys, Duke Roney, Andy Good and Charlie Wrotten on the dragster and Justin Beaver on my other racecars, they are all top-notch mechanics. My dad (three-time and reigning Pro Mod champ Troy Coughlin) and my fiancé Brenna (ford8and9inchrears.com."

Troy Jr. qualified No. 1 with a best pass of 5.303 seconds at 276.52 mph and beat John Paul Gutierrez, Mike Kosky and Brandon Greco to score the trophy.

Although they ended the day in the winner's circle celebrating Troy Jr.'s amazing day, Mike and Paige both exited in Round 1 at the same event, Mike in Top Dragster and Paige in Super Comp.

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Female Top Alcohol Dragster and Funny Car racing stars Megan Meyer and Annie Whiteley shared the winner’s stage to highlight the list of champions at the NGK Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals. Megan, the daughter of championship tuner Randy Meyer, collected her third national event win in the last three years, earning her first one at zMAX Dragway in 2016.

Megan won her first NHRA National event of 2018 by beating chassis builder Dan Page in the final round, 5.192 to 5.250. Megan, who was also the low qualifier with an impressive 5.168 ET, 283.73 MPH blast, was solidly in the 5.2s through the first three rounds in her wins against Krista Baldwin, Duane Shields, and first-year alcohol racer Troy Coughlin Jr.



Photo: NHRA

Megan went on to also hold low qualifier, low ET and top speed of the meet at the following race at Atlanta Dragway with a 5.22 ET at 277 MPH. Megan got a single run in the opening round of eliminations as Dan Lucas broke after the burnout, followed by a competition bye in second round. Megan once again took down Dan Page in the semi-finals, but ultimately lost to Josh Hart in the final round of the NHRA Southern Nationals.

Megan went on to also hold low qualifier, low ET and top speed of the meet at the following race at Atlanta Dragway with a 5.22 ET at 277 MPH. Megan got a single run in the opening round of eliminations as Dan Lucas broke after the burnout, followed by a competition bye in second round. Megan once again took down Dan Page in the semi-finals, but ultimately lost to Josh Hart in the final round of the NHRA Southern Nationals.

Charlotte - Duane Shields in the PEAK A/FuelDragster made it to the quarterfinal round at the NHRA NGK Spark Plugs Four - Wide Nationals following a disappointing regional event last weekend in Virginia. At that event the PEAK Dragster recorded a 5.27 at 273 MPH which would normally be competitive at any event. But sadly it was not enough in Virginia to get into a tight 8 car field. Duane just missed getting in the show as the ninth qualifier and found himself as the first alternate in what is now the quickest field in Top Alcohol Dragster history.

With the sting from the Virginia race behind them, the PEAK team moved on to Charlotte and quickly turned things around by qualifying eighth with a solid 5.31 at 271 MPH. This would ensure a first round showdown with Karen Stalba. As the lights came down, Duane was long gone with an 0.096 reaction time to Stalba’s 0.155. Duane also took care of Stalba at the top end of the track by securing the victory with a 5.32 at 272 MPH to Stalba’s 5.50 at 267 MPH.

In the quarter finals, Duane would face Megan Meyer who qualified first with a 5.16. At the hit, Duane left on Meyer with an 0.047 reaction time to Meyer’s 0.077. Duane continued his lead past the 60 foot mark but by the eighth mile Meyer moved ahead and was able to keep the candles lit to the finish line. She grabbed the win with a 5.23 at 277 MPH to Duane’s 5.33 at 273 MPH. “The car shook out there which slowed us down” Duane explained.

This coming weekend the PEAK Team will compete in Atlanta for the NHRA Southern Nationals. Duane would like to thank his sponsors PEAK Antifreeze and Motor Oil, Final Charge, Blue Def, NGK, GRP and Brad Anderson Enterprises for their continued support.

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