He led the field in qualifying eight times that season. He has won at least one NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series event in 17 consecutive seasons.
So has Coughlin, who has earned five Pro Stock championships since 2000 and the 1992 Super Gas title. During his inaugural season, the 64-time Pro Stock winner became the first NHRA driver to win in four classes in the same season (Pro Stock, Super Stock, Competition Eliminator and Super Gas).
He’s the lone racer to win national events in seven different categories and to win from all 16 qualifying positions.
Perhaps Line’s teammate, Greg Anderson, will take sole possession of the “greatest current Pro Stock driver” label starting in 2021. But undoubtedly, the class is saying goodbye to two of its most successful drivers.
To spice up the story, they were first and second in points heading into the Aug. 8-9 Dodge Indy Nationals. Coughlin and Line had each won once this season and they stood fourth and fifth on the class’ list of all-time winners behind Warren Johnson (97), Anderson (94) and the great Bob Glidden (85).
Enders has a unique perspective of racing against these two legends. She claimed her first Pro Stock championship in 2014, defeating Line in a winner-take-all showdown at California’s Pomona Raceway. She recorded her third title at Coughlin’s expense, by merely 21 points.
“Pomona 2014 was epic. You want to talk about nerves? I could have thrown up,” Enders said of her duel against Line. “Between the Countdown and us skipping two races, it had to be one of the most exciting race days in a long time. I’m glad it went our way.
“But to line up against one of the baddest dudes in Pro Stock, winner take all, was an honor,” Enders noted. “He’s a humble guy. Win or lose, he walks right down the middle of the road. Even though we are fierce competitors and not teammates, he has taken my back in some dramatic situations. He’s a good dude and we will certainly miss him. But like Jeg, I know he won’t go far.”
Coughlin plans to continue racing in select NHRA events at the sportsman level as well as in some local and national bracket races. He also says he might return to Pro Stock for the occasional race, if an opportunity presents itself.
He earned more honors in March, pocketing the $75,000 winner’s share during the inaugural World Doorslammer Nationals at Orlando (Fla.) SpeedWorld. The unsanctioned race paid the largest prize in class history.
Coughlin and wife, Samantha, have a 5-year-old daughter, Carly, and his 23-year-old son, Jeg III, graduated from Ohio State University and is pursuing a career on the PGA Tour.
Coughlin said he was glad the NHRA trimmed the class schedule from 24 to 18 races.
“It allowed for more family time as well as some extra work days at JEGS,” he said. “I realized early on how nice it was to be more present outside of racing.”
He almost called it quits last November, but says he wanted to stick around to celebrate the 50th year of Pro Stock and the family firm’s 60th year in business.
“Our company is celebrating its 60th year in business, so we’ll be able to promote that occasion with our race program,” Coughlin explained. “Plus, (I was turning) 50, so it seems like a bunch of things fell into place to continue into 2020.”
“When I first got my driving job (2004), Jeg was one of the first people I called,” Enders said. “I figured he was the best of the best, so who better to learn from? He didn’t have to help me — but he did and has, every time I’ve picked his brain since. I think it speaks volumes of his character.”
Enders says they crossed paths a couple of times before she and Coughlin became teammates at Richard Freeman’s Elite Motorsports.
“I was on my way out at Cagnazzi’s in 2006, and he was on his way in. At the end of 2010, when he announced his retirement, I headed back to Victor’s, where I raced the 2011, ’12 and ’13 seasons,” Enders noted. “In 2015, he came and raced a few races with us at Elite and has been a full-time teammate since.”
Enders has learned even more from Coughlin during the past five years.
“They call Jeg ‘The Natural’ for a reason. There is nothing he can’t do with a race car,” Enders said. “I don’t care what it is — he is the man. It has been an honor to be his teammate for the last six years. I’ve learned a lot, had a blast and most importantly gained lifelong friends in him and Samantha.
“We are sad to see him retire from full-time racing, but I know he won’t be far. I look forward to him being a part of the Elite family for many years to come. He certainly leaves a legacy with Pro Stock, a benchmark that we all can strive for but won’t often be attained. He’s the purest driver our sport has ever seen — and an even better person.
“I just think the world of him and his family. He’s humble, kind, professional and a whole bunch of fun … the cream of the crop. Anytime Jeg is around, you can bet there is fun being had.”
Enders and Anderson will be left to duke it out as the other statistical leaders in Pro Stock have either retired or are no longer alive. But the class definitely will miss Coughlin and Line — their high performance and their hijinks.