Coughlin takes in Chicago

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JEGS.com driver Troy Coughlin Jr. has experienced the city of Chicago this week before he races in the K&N Route 66 NHRA Nationals this weekend at Route 66 Raceway.

Coughlin will race in the Super Gas and Super Comp classes of the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series in Chicago, driving his JEGS.com roadster in Super Gas and his JEGS.com dragster in Super Comp.

But before then, he attended a Chicago Cubs game in Wrigley Field, enjoyed some Chicago deep-dish pizza and took in a Broadway show at PrivateBank Theater.

“I think there’s much more to do,” Coughlin said. “I wish I could come back on Monday, but I have to go back to work at Jegs.”

Coughlin’s first stop was Wrigley Field on the north side of town to watch the Cubs beat the Cincinnati Reds on July 4.

“I went to a Cubs game, which was really cool,” Coughlin said. “Looking at the marketing side of that stuff was really neat. What a great organization. Any team that can have that many games, yet make it look that cool every game is inspiring.

“They played the Cincinnati Reds and completely washed them out. Look at all the names who have played there: Sammy Sosa and all the great players from the 1960s, 70s and 80s: Ernie Banks, Fergie Jenkins, Billy Williams, Ryne Sandberg.”

The Ohio native is a fan of the Cleveland Indians, whose World Series drought is nearly 70 years. But that’s nothing for the Cubs, who haven’t won a World Series since 1908.

“My great-grandmother was just born,” Coughlin said. “Gosh, I want them to win. I’m a Cleveland Indians fan, and we won in 1948, but 1908? Wow.”

Later, Coughlin enjoyed some deep-dish pizza at a local restaurant.

“We ate at Giordano’s, which was amazing,” Coughlin said. “It was so good.”

Then, he watched the play Book of Mormon at the PrivateBank Theater downtown.

“That was pretty interesting,” Coughlin said.

Now, Coughlin turns his attention to the cutthroat world of Sportsman racing.

“We had a good test session out at National Trail,” Coughlin said. “Everything worked the way we want it. We’ve just got to focus and keep our thoughts controlled. We need to segment out the days and take it one round at a time — and drive it to win.”

Drag racing

Staff Report

Teamjegs.com contributed to this report.

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