Mon, 22 Nov 2004, 11:45 AM Team Jeg's to Partner with Don Schumacher Racing

Courtesy of Scott Woodruff

Three-time NHRA champion Jeg Coughlin will join the powerful Don Schumacher Racing camp in 2005 with a brand-new Jeg's Mail Order Dodge Stratus R/T. Bob Glidden, the 10-time Pro Stock champion with 85 national event wins to his credit, will serve as Coughlin's crew chief using motors built at Schumacher's Indianapolis-based shop.

Rendering of Jeg's Dodge Stratus R/T

After winning the 1992 Super Gas championship and Pro Stock titles in 2000 and 2002 with his family owned race teams, Coughlin cited his desire to make another run at being No. 1 in the world. By aligning his race team with Don Schumacher Racing, Coughlin will benefit from Schumacher's alliance with DaimlerChrysler, Dodge, and Mopar Parts and their research and development departments.

"We couldn't be more excited," Coughlin said. "We've all seen the success Don has experienced in the other three professional categories and he's eager to make a mark in Pro Stock as well. He's assembled an awesome team and I fully expect us to contend for the championship from the start of the season forward."

"Three-time Pro Stock champion Jeg Coughlin and Team Jeg's will make an outstanding addition to my team," said Schumacher. "Jeg has clearly demonstrated his driving talent in the Pro Stock class and his desire to win is a passion we both share. I couldn't ask for a stronger driver/crew chief combination for my new Pro Stock team than Jeg and 10-time Pro Stock champion Bob Glidden. I am looking forward to working with them in 2005 in what I hope is a championship season."

The partnership between Jeg's Mail Order and Don Schumacher Racing will feature associate-level signage on all of the team's vehicles, including the U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster of new champion Tony Schumacher, the HEMI-powered Oakley Dodge Stratus R/T Funny Car of Gary Scelzi, the Matco Tools Dodge Stratus R/T Funny Car of Whit Bazemore, and the U.S. Army Suzukis of three-time champion Angelle Savoie and Antron Brown.

"Obviously, I'm gaining some very talented teammates," Coughlin said. "Running a race team that is capable of winning a POWERade championship takes a tremendous amount of work and effort and with the talents of Don Schumacher Racing behind me, I'll be able to focus 100 percent of my attention to driving the race car and working toward winning another championship."

A winner of the Super Stock Hemi Challenge at this year's 50th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals behind the wheel of Michael Ogburn and Harry Holton's West Coast Hemi's Barracuda, Coughlin is also excited about the move to Mopar.

"The Hemi engine is synonymous with high performance," Coughlin said. "We've all seen the success the Mopar drivers have had since the Hemi was reintroduced a few years ago and the Dodge Stratus R/T is a very competitive design that can run evenly with the GM cars.

"I had a great relationship with General Motors when I drove for them and I got their blessing before I made this move. That was very important to me. They understood why I was doing this and wished me well. GM has the two-time champion on their roster right now in Greg Anderson. He's the guy we're all trying to catch."

Coughlin will begin testing his new race car in mid-December in Florida.

"Everyone that knows me knows I'd race every weekend if I could," Coughlin said. "I love drag racing and I can't wait to get in my new ride and give it a whirl. The 2005 season will be here before we know it and we want to be up to full speed by Pomona. We'll test as much as we need to for that to happen."