Paige Coughlin, aged 22, showcased her skills behind the wheel of a powerful 1992 Chevrolet Camaro named 'Golden Child.' Paige is the daughter of Troy Coughlin, Sr., and the granddaughter of Jeg Coughlin, Sr., the esteemed founder of JEGS.
Photo by Dragzine
Paige, equipped with several years of experience in NHRA sportsman class and E.T. bracket racing, joined forces with Mike Rees and Justin Beaver to restore the 1992 Camaro that Rees previously competed with in NMCA Super Street 10.5 and Radial Wars competitions. The car, previously adorned in a dazzling all-gold color (which inspired its name), now showcases an elegant black-on-gold design. It boasts a top-notch drivetrain combination and incorporates the finest components necessary to compete alongside the leading no-prep teams in the sport.
“I come from a bracket racing and Super Comp background. That’s where I grew up, that’s what my dad did, what my brother did. When we decided to build this car, we thought we’d go check out the no-prep racing scene, and we instantly fell in love with it,” Paige says. “My dad came out here two years ago and saw how packed the track was, and was amazed at how many people came out to the event. So it’s something we want to be a part of, and we’re excited to bring this 1992 Camaro out and race in the Futures class.”
The "Golden Child". Photo by Paige Coughlin
“Mike is like an older brother to me, and Justin and all of my guys, they’re amazing,” Paige expresses that her team, led by Rees, has been a longstanding member of Troy's NHRA Pro Modified program. “This came about in a two-car garage at Mike’s house, and that’s where we built the car. The relationship was there, the car was there, and we made it work. We knew this was going to be super-cool, and the car is badass - I’m obsessed with these Camaros - so I’m excited.”
Photo by Dragzine
Paige marked her first appearance at the season opener held at National Trail Raceway in Columbus, Ohio, which also happens to be her family's home track. Although she was eliminated in the opening round of the three-car competition in the Future Street Outlaws category, she exhibited remarkable driving skills. Additionally, the car demonstrated its capability to contend with other competitors, showcasing its potential.
“This series drew me in when I went to an event. It’s so cool, because there are so many people that are so excited to come watch racing. I wanted to be a part of it. My dad raced in Pro Modified for many years and I wanted to be like him, and when he said how cool this stuff was, I knew this could be something we could do together, a father-daughter deal. I think is perfect for us.”
Photo by Paige Coughlin
The vehicle is equipped with a Pro Line Racing Hemi engine featuring a ProCharger F-4X, and it utilizes a complete set of FuelTech hardware.
Troy, Sr., a remarkable figure with 16 NHRA national event victories and three Pro Modified championship titles to his name, has taken pleasure in observing his children's accomplishments since retiring from active driving. His son, Troy, Jr., has achieved success across various racing categories, ranging from Top Fuel to Pro Stock and Pro Modified, during his young career. Now, the elder Coughlin has the joy of witnessing Paige embark on a similar racing path, further adding to his pride and enjoyment.
Video by Paige Coughlin
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