Chad Green Captures Back-to-Back Wins at Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals in CGM Bond-Coat Ford Mustang

GAINESVILLE, FL – Texas driver Chad Green delivered a sensational performance to claim his second consecutive Funny Car victory at the 57th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals on Sunday, powering his CGM Bond-Coat Ford Mustang to the win in the season-opening race of the NHRA’s landmark 75th anniversary Mission Foods Drag Racing Series.

The Midland businessman and veteran racer, who pulled off an upset win here last year, proved he was no fluke by qualifying fourth with a strong 3.926-second pass on Friday night. Green then drove through a competitive 16-car field, posting consistent low elapsed times amid hot, humid, and tricky track conditions—including rain delays—to secure his third career NHRA Funny Car title and his second at Gainesville Raceway.

Green’s path to victory included:

• First round: 4.022 seconds at 316.60 mph defeating Terry Haddock (6.650/110.15).
• Second round: 3.975 at 326.08 mph edging four-time world champion Matt Hagan (3.967/328.14) on a crucial holeshot.
• Semifinals: 3.980 at 324.83 mph over Jordan Vandergriff (4.068/300.40).
• Final: 3.959 at 329.91 mph defeating Alexis DeJoria (5.003/167.59), clocking the quickest elapsed time of Funny Car eliminations.

“It was one of those great days of racing when I never saw another car next to me when I left the starting line,” said Green. “I knew Hagan would be tough in the second round and I cut a good light to win on a holeshot. That was a big one. Then the crew gave me a great car for the semis and the finals. We had a good testing session a few weeks ago and the crew guys learned a lot about this track. This weekend, though, the track was tricky with hot and humid conditions as well as some rain delays. So, they knew what to do at the right time and that puts us back in the winner’s circle.

“It’s so hard to win any race. But to win the Gatornationals back-to-back is very special. It’s a legendary race on the NHRA national schedule. I thought how nice it would be to win one of those ‘Diamond Wally’ trophies in the 75th year. And now we did right out of the box in the first race. … The best deal about racing this weekend is I get to race with my son, Hunter.”

Adding to the family storyline, Green’s son Hunter competed in his second NHRA Pro season aboard a CGM Bond-Coat Dodge//SRT Hellcat Funny Car. Hunter qualified 10th with a 4.048 on Friday but fell in the first round to Daniel Wilkerson (4.027) after losing a cylinder off the line, posting a 4.263.

“It was a great weekend with my dad winning the Gatornationals and I learned more about our Funny Car too,” said Hunter Green. “I have a lot more confidence and knowledge with these cars after my first year. These nitro cars are a handful to drive, and I feel I am gaining more experience with each run. Our two-car team is working together very well, and having the team win at the first race is so awesome. We want to continue the success with both cars.”

Chad Green and CGM teammate Blake Alexander are next scheduled for the FMP Factory Motor Parts Arizona Nationals on March 20-22 at Phoenix Raceway.

photo courtesy of NHRA