Successful First Test for Coughlin and Team JEGS
Shakedown at New Smyrna Sets the Standard for Speedweeks
51 Sports PR
A race team’s first on-track experience of the season means many things. It’s a chance to knock the rust off from a long off-season. Also, all the setup ideas and improvements to the racecar during the winter months can be put into action. Most of all, it’s a chance to get some momentum built up for the new year.
But for 16-year-old Cody Coughlin, the first test session of 2012 was even more important than the rest. It gave him and new crew chief Butch VanDoorn a chance to get some camaraderie and to build up a communication at the track. While Coughlin was the 2011 JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Howie Lettow Rookie of the Year, he and the entire organization have higher aspirations for the new season – a season which he and his crew will jump right into during the nine-night World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at Florida’s New Smyrna Speedway.
Friday’s test at New Smyrna Speedway may have been cut short by Mother Nature, but Coughlin and his new crew chief both benefitted by the first laps of 2012.
“It was really nice to see everything come together with our program this year,” said Coughlin after Friday’s test session. “I Enjoyed working with the team today and it was nice to have a successful test. I am excited to get back down here next week and kick the 2012 season off."
The New Smyrna test got the entire team in the right direction on a setup for the Pro Late Model portion of World Series action. The events kick off on Friday, February 17th and run through the 25th. The nine-night affair will test the driver’s, the car’s and the team’s mettle, but it should also make them tougher as they chase a busy 2012 schedule.
“I’m really happy with Cody's progress and the way the team has come together,” said VanDoorn, who is beginning his first season as crew chief for Coughlin at Team JEGS. “We are excited to get rolling and kick 2012 off at New Smyrna during Speedweeks.”
For more information on Cody Coughlin and Team JEGS, visit www.teamjegs.com.
Coughlin (left) chats with legendary short tracker and Team JEGS member Gary St. Amant at the New Smyrna test. (Team JEGS Photo)
Coughlin's Pro Late Model heads out for a practice run. (Team JEGS Photo)
