Coughlin turns first laps at Pocono - Speedway Digest

LONG POND, Pa — Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) development driver Cody Coughlin never drove at the 2.5 mile Pocono Raceway until Wednesday’s ARCA test.

“I think it’s really big,” Coughlin said. “It’s big and just a really different thing. The biggest track I’ve been before this one was a half-mile, so it’s a huge jump for me.”

Coughlin is driving a limited schedule in ARCA with Venturini Motorsports to get more acclimated with stock cars.

Before coming to Pocono, he said several drivers helped him get around the Tricky Triangle.

“Scott Wimmer, my spotter, has. I talked to Jimmie Johnson a little bit, Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick,Chase Elliott and Brennan Poole as well. They helped me just kind of get an idea of the place before I got here.

Poole wears many hats at Venturini, serving as a driver, spotter and coach for the team and shook down all the team cars on Wednesday.

The Texan driver has an ARCA win at Pocono, along with three poles and gave some advice to Coughlin to get around there.

“I’ve just been trying to give him a few pointers and tell him where all the points are on the track that used when I raced here,” Poole said. “And just try to give him encouraging words and show him the best way that I can to move forward quicker.”

Coughlin signed a driver developmental deal with JGR in March.

“It was a no-brainer,” Coughlin said. “It’s just awesome people, good faith-based people, great equipment, great track record. Hopefully the feeling is mutual. I’ve enjoyed every bit of it.”

His ARCA effort is sponsored by JEGS Performance Auto Parts, which is co-owned by his father, John. The elder Coughlin has won multiple drag racing championships in his driving career.

Cody will try to tackle the Tricky Triangle in his Pocono debut on Saturday in the 58^th ARCA race held there.

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Kyle Magda

Currently, I’m a journalism student in college who enjoys the sport of racing. I've been following NASCAR in-depth since 2001.Along with my love of racing, I’m also into baseball, football (college & pro), and college basketball.I also have my own website, The Life of Kyle, where I write about various topics.And to get my feet wet into radio, I have my own show called Overdrive. I started it with my friend. Since we can’t record together most of the time, we have our own versions. I cover NASCAR and ARCA, and he takes Formula One and IndyCar.Not forgetting to mention, I have my own YouTube channel as well.As for race tracks, I’ve gone to races at Pocono, Watkins Glen, Daytona, Dover, Loudon and a few local short tracks as well. I hope to cross the Indianapolis 500 off my list in the future. I hope to become a man of many hats.