Johnson, the No. 2 qualifier who had one of the quickest cars Sunday, had lane choice, too. But Coughlin's near-perfect reaction time got him ahead, and he won with a pass of 6.616 seconds at 208.75 mph, holding off Johnson's quicker 6.588-second run at 209.39 mph.

The two holeshot wins give Coughlin 91 for his stellar career, the most in Pro Stock history.

"It doesn't get any better than that," Coughlin said of the semifinals and final. "The KB Racing cars have come on like gangbusters the last four or five weeks. To get by my teammate AJ – he's gotten by me in a couple of finals this year – it felt nice to see that win light turn on. I put the car in fifth gear and peered over to the right. I could hear him but not see him.

"I saw my win light come on and that's when the celebration began. The J&J team did a heckuva job to get both our cars in the finals."

Coughlin had led the Pro Stock standings during the previous two races but didn't hang on to it at the end of each event. This time, though, he assured himself of the points lead by beating Line and then extended it to 45 points, unofficially, by winning the race.

"With the way things have played out the last couple of races with us playing around with the points lead, it feels good to leave Reading with the lead," Coughlin said. "I'm an optimistic person, but we've got a lot of racing left to do. All across the Pro Stock horizon they are (preparing) for a great Vegas run. We'd love to say this thing is all but over, but there are a lot of rounds left."

Pro Stock Points: 1. Jeg Coughlin, 2,433; 2. Mike Edwards, 2,388; 3. Jason Line, 2,383; 4. Allen Johnson, 2,360; 5. Erica Enders-Stevens, 2,319; 6.  Shane Gray, 2,313; 7. Greg Anderson, 2,260; 8. V. Gaines, 2,219; 9. Vincent Nobile, 2,215; 10. Rodger Brogdon, 2,083.

PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE


In Pro Stock Motorcycle, points leader Matt Smith zoned in on his second world championship by beating defending world champion Eddie Krawiec in the final round. Smith rode his Viper Motorcycle Company Racing Buell to a winning performance of 6.936 at 193.32 to earn his second straight victory, third this season and 16th in his career.

Krawiec went 6.965 at 190.43 in the final round on his Vance & Hines Screamin-Eagle Harley Davidson in his second final round appearance during the Countdown.

“I can’t say enough about our crew,” Smith said. “We hurt our good motor (Saturday), but things worked out for us. All in all, we beat big competitors in the semifinals and finals, extended our points lead and I’m really happy right now.”

Smith’s second career win at Maple Grove Raceway pushed his lead to 125 points against Hector Arana Jr. The King, N.C. native, who won his first world championship in 2007, beat Michael Ray, John Hall and Chaz Kenney to reach the final round.

“This thing’s not over yet,” Smith said. “I’m still looking at every round as just 20 points. But we’ll be strong, I guarantee you, in Vegas.”

Pro Stock Motorcycle Points: 1. Matt Smith, 2,486; 2. Hector Arana Jr, 2,361; 3. Michael Ray, 2,359; 4. Hector Arana, 2,357; 5. Eddie Krawiec, 2,345; 6. LE Tonglet, 2,299; 7. Scotty Pollacheck, 2,256; 8. John Hall, 2,238; 9. Adam Arana, 2,157; 10. Shawn Gann, 2,125.