In a matchup of Mopar Dodge Darts carrying Roy Johnson-supplied HEMI engines under the hood, Coughlin was a bit too early on the tree, fouling out on a .004 red-light as Johnson drove to his quickest run of eliminations. The showdown also marked the third straight all-Mopar Pro Stock final at Bandimere (Johnson defeated Colorado native V. Gaines in the money round in 2012 and 2013).

Hometown favorite Gaines exited in round one, as did Mopar-powered pilot Matt Hartford.

“This team just continues to find a way to do it,” said Johnson, who with the victory is now second-time all-time in Pro Stock wins at the venue, behind only Pro Stock legend Bob Glidden. “We want to win here for Mopar and Magneti Marelli, and my guys step up and I step up. It’s a confidence thing. It’s just deep in our gut and we keep doing it.”

Coughlin, crew chiefs Adam Hornberger and Mark Ingersoll, engine builder Roy Johnson, and the entire team bounced back from a difficult Friday, when Coughlin was left outside the top 12.

"My weekend didn't start out quite like we had planned on my car," Coughlin said. "But they were waving the wand on it Friday night and Saturday morning and got my car to come to life, which was great. We were second and third for the sessions on Saturday and they moved us up to No. 4, and we had a great race car. That's all you can ask for.

"I drove really well and got aggressive later in the day."I guess I get relaxed and it's more natural to me. I'm used to bracket racing a lot and I haven't done any of that lately. That's where you run a lot of rounds in one day and it kind of lets your body do its thing.

"Lately I think I've been on the edge of too aggressive," Coughlin said, “and then couple that with getting more comfortable as the day goes on."

Still, Coughlin solidified his hold on third place in the Pro Stock points standings.

PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE

Andrew Hines rode his Screamin’ Eagle/Vance &Hines Harley-Davidson to his fourth race win of the season in Pro Stock Motorcycle when he defeated Michael Ray in the finals. Hines recorded a pass of 7.426 at 184.35 to the trailing run of 9.033 at 103.64.

“Up here, every little move is compounded because you don’t have enough power to overcome mistakes like short shifts or body movements,” Hines said. “This place also throws your mental timing off. You have to be focused, and thankfully, I had a V-Rod that went straight down the track. I lived here [in Colorado] for 10 years, and this place is very special to me. I made my first laps here, and I love this facility. I love the fans and the scenery. We might have had an advantage when we lived here, but lately, the Arana’s have dominated. They’ve been No. 1 in qualifying for the last three years.”