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NHRA




Wednesday, December 24
Updated: March 8, 1:25 AM ET
Spotlight
Jeg Coughlin Jr.
By Bill Stephens
ESPN.com

Jeg Coughlin Jr. Class
Pro Stock
Team
Jeg's Mail Order
Car
Chevy Cavalier
STATS 2003 CAREER
Rank 3 1*
Wins 2 33
Final rounds 7 49
No. 1 qualifiers 1 7
Round record 41-21 263-96
*Indicates career best points finish
2003 recap
The good: While a third-place finish in the points is nothing to gripe about for most teams, you've got to dig a little to find any major bright spots for Jeg in 2003. His victories in Sonoma and Chicago II were definitely satisfying thanks to his wins in both final rounds over Greg Anderson.

Season highlight: The Sonoma win moved him from fourth to third in the standings. Plus, winning the 5-day Moroso bracket race following the NHRA finale was a big thrill for the two-time Pro Stock champion.

The bad: Anyone as competitive as Jeggie doesn't like to watch the championship stretch drive from back in the pack. The No.1 that he wore on his car in 2003 will be on Anderson's in 2004 and Jeggie was never really able to put up a formidable defense..

Season lowlight: Lost the first round of the season in Pomona to Pro Stock newbie Randy Daniels.

2004 outlook
What needs to be done: The task for Jeg will be much like that of any other Pro Stock championship hopeful in 2004 -- make enough horsepower to defuse Greg Anderson. Jeg is still the best driver in the category and with enough grunt under the hood, he's deadly.

Prediction: If the Coughlin team can put up numbers comparable to what Anderson is expected to, the yellow-and-black will have what it needs to contend. Team chemistry is never an issue with the family-owned operation and neither are financial resources. But if they can't run within at least 2/100's of the reigning champion in '04, it could be a long season.

Your take
Can Coughlin return to form and take the Pro Stock title back from Greg Anderson? Here are your thoughts on Coughlin and his prospects for the 2004 season.

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