Cody Coughlin aiming for big weekend at Anderson 100

ANDERSON, Ind. (June 3, 2011) - Coming off his best race of the inaugural season of the JEGS CRA All Stars Tour presented by GM Performance Parts, 15-year-old rookie driver Cody Coughlin is pumped up about this weekend's Anderson 100 presented by JEGS.com at historic Anderson Speedway.

Coughlin raced to a 12th-place result last Saturday at his home track of Columbus Motor Speedway and is hoping to continue to make positive steps forward as he learns the nuances of Late Model Stock Cars.

"Columbus was great, especially since we were at home and all our friends came out," Coughlin said. "We had a good run with the JEGS.com Chevrolet also so we're excited about getting back on the track and turning some more laps.

"We tested (Thursday) and everything went really well. Anderson is a short track (1/4-mile in length) with high banked corners so it's important to find a good line and stay with it. I'd imagine it's going to get interesting when the trophy is on the line but we'll be ready."

Tuned by Rich Lushes, Coughlin's racecar has run strong since the group put it together before the season started. Aside from Lushes' help, Coughlin receives guidance from short track champion Gary St. Amant and Landon Cassill, who worked his way up to NASCAR after piloting many of the same vehicles Coughlin has raced.

Additionally, Coughlin will have the support of his father John Coughlin, a multi-time drag racing champion, his mother Di, and his sister Kennedi.

"Racing always has been a family affair for us ever since my grandfather (Hall of Famer Jeg Coughlin Sr.) started drag racing back in the '50s," Coughlin said. "I wouldn't want to race without my family."

Practice begins a 4 p.m., Saturday, with qualifying scheduled for 6:30 p.m. The Anderson 100 presented by JEGS will run as part of the main event, which starts at 8 p.m. at Anderson Raceway.