Few Funny Car teams have been as consistently competitive through the first half of the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season as Chad Green and the CGM Racing operation.
With victories at the NHRA Gatornationals and Route 66 Nationals already on the scoreboard, Green enters this weekend’s Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway firmly planted in the championship conversation and searching for a third victory in the first nine races of the season.
The Midland, Texas, businessman and racer has transformed himself from a newcomer in the nitro Funny Car ranks into one of the category’s most serious title contenders, and Bristol could provide another key opportunity to strengthen his championship credentials.
Bristol’s New Surface Creates Excitement
One of the biggest storylines entering the Thunder Valley Nationals is Bristol Dragway’s newly resurfaced racing surface.
For years, the Tennessee facility’s famous bumps created challenges for drivers, crew chiefs, and race teams. The repave has generated plenty of discussion throughout the pit area, and Green is eager to see the results firsthand.
“I know this is not the first time they’ve tried to get rid of the bumps,” Green said. “If we get out there and it is super smooth, that’ll be great, and we will have some great racing.”
Thunder Valley remains one of the most iconic venues on the NHRA schedule, and Green has always appreciated what makes Bristol unique.
“Bristol is a beautiful area of the country, and the track itself is iconic,” Chad explained. “It goes down between the two mountains there, and it’s just a cool place to race. I am excited to race there again. In the past, the track has been very tricky. Now, with the new surface, all of the drivers are anxious to get on the new track.”
CGM Racing Has Emerged As A Serious Threat
A major reason for Green’s rise has been the continued development of the CGM Racing program.
Under the leadership of crew chiefs Joe Serena and Dean Marinis, the team has evolved into one of the strongest Funny Car operations on tour. The consistency displayed by the Ford Mustang program has helped Green remain a weekly contender despite the increasingly competitive nature of the category.
“The car is running very well right now,” Green said. “My guys seem to have such a good handle on it, but there are about five other cars out there in a similar position as we are.”
That level of parity is one reason why Green knows every round counts.
Funny Car competition in 2026 has been exceptionally tight, with multiple teams capable of winning any given event. Maintaining a top-five position requires near-perfect execution from the entire team.
“There’s really tough, tight racing going on right now and to maintain a spot at the top is very difficult,” Green added.
The Championship Battle Is Heating Up
As the NHRA schedule moves deeper into the summer months, Bristol represents a critical opportunity for drivers chasing a championship. A third victory would not only strengthen Green’s standing in the points race but would also further establish the CGM Racing team as one of the favorites heading into the second half of the season.
The team’s confidence is evident, but so is its respect for the competition.
“With the new Bristol racing surface, I expect some great racing in qualifying and eliminations,” Green said. “You can make a single mistake to win the event. I think my team is ready again.”
That mindset has helped carry Green to four career NHRA Funny Car victories and positioned him among the sport’s rising championship contenders. If the CGM team continues performing at its current level, Bristol could become another important chapter in Green’s pursuit of his first NHRA Funny Car world championship.
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