NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Enjoying initial success at his E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service debut, Chad Green quickly had to deal with some adversity. But how he has responded in recent races indicates the class newcomer may not have to wait long to earn his first career victory in the class. 

Green advanced to the semifinals at the season-opener in Gainesville, before a crash quickly ended his debut. But the Texas native quickly jumped into a new car and has been on an impressive run, advancing to his first career final round at the most recent event in Topeka. Heading to this weekend’s race, which is part of the Virginia NHRA Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park, Green couldn’t be more pleased with the progress his team has made. 

“We definitely came into this year knowing it was our first year, not expecting to set the world on fire,” said Green, who is currently fourth in points. “But I also thought we were prepared. We spent a couple of years preparing to do this, and we felt like we had everything together and we could compete. I’m fired up with the level of success we’ve had. It boosts our confidence even more and I’ve got a great team. It’s really up to me not to screw it up.”

The race, which is presented by the Real Pro Mod Association (RPM), is the fifth of 12 events during the 2018 E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service season and will be shown on Fox Sports 1 (FS1) and Fox Sports 2 (FS2). 

It will be Green’s official debut at the track and following his weekend in Topeka, he can’t wait to compete against another loaded field this weekend. Green qualified No. 1 for the first time at the race, knocked off the likes of former world champion Khalid AlBalooshi and Mike Janis to reach the final round before losing to points leader and three-time world champion Rickie Smith, who earned his second win of the season. With famed tuner Pat Musi calling the shots, Green has put his name among the top challengers in the class, a matter that is still a little surreal for him.

“It’s so meaningful to know you’re competing with some of the best drivers in the sport of drag racing,” Green said. “They’re no joke and to be able to compete in the class, I really just feel honored. It’s been great and it’s been a great group of people. It’s a welcoming experience and I’m so excited to get to Richmond, especially after our performance in Topeka. We’re starting to get a handle on the car and we’re getting a lot more confidence.”

Doing well at Virginia Motorsports Park would be a huge boost of confidence for Green, who hopes to have strong performances through a stretch of three straight races that starts this weekend. Competing against the likes of 2018 winners Jim Whiteley and Jose Gonzalez, as well as standouts Stevie “Fast” Jackson and three-time and defending Pro Mod world champ Troy Coughlin, who is making his return to the class after he cut short his retirement, won’t make it easy, but Green believes his team will keep on the right path through this next series of races.

“We’ve got three in a row and then a big break, so our goal is to come out of these three races in a good spot,” Green said. “We’ve got momentum and we want to continue that. We feel like we missed an opportunity in Topeka, but we’ve got a good car. If we’ve got a car that can go down the track, we feel like we have a chance to compete, so we’re hopeful this weekend.”
 
Featuring the world’s fastest and most unique doorslammer race cars, the E3 Spark Plugs NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by J&A Service offers something for every kind of hot-rodding enthusiast. The class is highlighted by historic muscle cars, like ’67 Mustangs, ’68 Firebirds and ’69 Camaros, as well as a variety of late model American muscle cars. With more than 3,000 horsepower, the suspended door pro mod cars travel the quarter-mile in less than six seconds at speeds exceeding 250 mph. 

Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 2:45 and 5:15 p.m. on Friday, June 8, and the final two rounds of qualifying at 12:45 and 3:15 p.m. on Saturday, June 9. Final eliminations are scheduled for 12 p.m. on Sunday, June 10.
 
To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call 800-884-NHRA (6472). Tickets also are available online at www.NHRA.com/tickets. Kids 12 and under are free in general admission areas with a paid adult. All students can save 50 percent on general admission at the gate with a student ID. To honor the Salute to First Responders, military and first responders can save 20 percent on general admission tickets at the gate.