https://www.dragzine.com/news/paige-coughlin-makes-her-no-prep-kings-debut/
Article written by Andrew Wolf at Dragzine
Paige, with a number of years of NHRA sportsman class and E.T. bracket racing experience, partnered with Mike Rees and Justin Beaver to rebuild the 1992 Camaro Rees once campaigned in NMCA Super Street 10.5 and Radial Wars competition. The car, which was once painted a striking all-gold hue (thus the inspiration for the name), now sports a classy black-on-gold scheme, with a world-class drivetrain combination and all the best parts and pieces necessary to run with the top 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.”
“Mike is like an older brother to me, and Justin and all of my guys, they’re amazing,” Paige says of her team, headed up by Rees, a longtime part 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.”
Paige made her debut at the season opener in Columbus, Ohio, at her family’s home track, National Trail Raceway. While she bowed out in the first round of the three-car contest in the Future Street Outlaws category, she showed some impressive instincts behind the wheel. The car, likewise, displayed its potential to be a contender.
“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.”
The car is powered by a Pro Line Racing Hemi with a ProCharger F-4X, and utilizes a full compliment of FuelTech hardware. “We tested the car a few times all across the country, and we’re ready, this car is fast,” Paige says.
“When I made my first pass in this car, I got out and my hair is all disheveled and I’m sweating, and I said, ‘oh my God, I can’t believe I just did that. And dad’s riding up on the scooter and gives me one big hug, and it was deja vu, as the roles were completely reversed. It’s such a crazy feeling. The bond we share is indescribable, we’re super close, and I’m excited to be able too are this with my dad. I let him tore it up there for me every now and then, and he gets to warm it up. It makes me so happy. He actually drove this car back in the day.”
Paige will continue to star in the Futures class, with hopes of catching the eye of the show’s producers and the eight team captains and gaining the opportunity to race her way into the invitational in due time.
“It would be super cool to be a part of the invitational,” she says. “All of those drivers are crazy talented, and I have some making-up to do, but when the time is ready, the time is ready. I’ll be good to go. We plan to run every race we can go to; if that’s a full season, then it’s a full season. We’re starting off in Futures, and we’re happy to be here. We’ll race in anything, they just tell us where to be and we’ll be there.”