High Stakes/Drama Pro Mod Finale

In what may have been one of the most impressive and dramatic late season charges in the history of Pro Modified class drag racing, Ohio’s Troy Coughlin clinched the prestigious NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series (presented by Pro Care RX) season championship title…

Coughlin raced to his first ever NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series points title on the strength of his second win of the season during last weekend’s Big O Tires NHRA Nationals held at Las Vegas. 

The stage was set at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for Coughlin to win the championship when Mike Castellana, points leader coming into the event, was defeated in the quarter finals.

Troy Coughlin had a truly impressive new car debut with his Steve Petty-tuned turbocharged 2013 Corvette!

Coughlin, who debuted his 2012 JEGS.com Corvette at the race, needed to win the event to have an opportunity to overcome Castellana, who was sitting on the sidelines. Coughlin defeated Mike Janis and Danny Rowe in the first two frames of competition before lining up against top qualifier Don Walsh in the finals.

In that final round Troy moved first (.048 RT) and his spectacular turbocharged Corvette roared to yet another straight and true lap winning convincingly with a 5.830 secs at 253.52 mph.  Walsh’s turbocharged Mustang succumbed to tire shake.

With that development — Coughlin secured the coveted championship by 3 points over Castellana (675 to 672).  

“We approached it like lets go in and run as best as we can and not overpower the track and just take it one round at a time, just go up and make laps, get off the starting line on time and make some laps and turn the win lights on,” Coughlin said. “We came into this race with a brand new car, made a few laps and tested here last week in Vegas and it seemed to be OK, good enough to come to the race. All the guys back at Jegs have done a fabulous job with this thing and making my job really much simpler than in the past.”

Michigan’s Bill Walsh qualified #1 for the 4th time this season, set low ET and top speed and placed R/UP.

Event EssentialsNHRA Pro Care RX Pro Mod Series (Oct. 26-28th, 2012) Las Vegas, NV

ProCare RX PM NAME ET MPH CAREER WIN
         
Winner: Troy Coughlin 5.830 253.52 2nd
R/UP: Don Walsh 7.602 140.90  
         
Low ET: Don Walsh 5.824    
Top Speed: Don Walsh   255.29  
Bump Spot:   6.085    

 

One of the most talked about new cars debuted at Las Vegas was this ’63 Corvette owned by Canada’s Al Billes. Pete Farber was the designated driver…

Files by:  NHRA Communications and Bruce Biegler

 Photos by:  Bruce Biegler