In the midst of an incredible season that brought the second-generation drag racer to the lead in the point standings this summer, Hunter Green has made quick progress since making his Top Alcohol Dragster debut just two years ago.
[Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in DI #191, the 30 Under 30 Issue, in November / December of 2024.]
The Texas native’s traverse into quarter-mile racing first came as a crew member for his father, Chad Green, who was racing Pro Mod at the time. The younger Green didn’t have much interest in driving a car himself, particularly after seeing the challenges – including a couple of nasty, injury-producing wrecks – experienced by his dad in the class of exceptionally tricky-to-tame beasts.
But eventually, Green had a change of heart.
“I worked on the Pro Mod team for two-and-a-half years, and I didn’t have the desire to drive at all,” Green admits. “But my dad told me about Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School, and I decided to try the first step and see how it went. I decided to take the leap, and I liked it, so I went to the second step. Getting in an alcohol dragster and going 200 mph went even better, and that’s where I started building confidence and thinking I might actually do this.”
In 2022, his first season behind the wheel of an alcohol-infused rail, Green gathered round wins and experience, and in early 2023, he stacked the blocks of learning and seat time to scoop up a career-first national event win. The rewarding Topeka victory was complemented by a double-up for Green and his father at the In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals.
Closing out last season with that emotional, monumental win set the young gentleman on a path to battle for his first world championship. Driving the Bond-Coat dragster out of the respected and well-decorated Randy Meyer Racing stable, Green claimed a number of low qualifier awards in 2024, set low elapsed time at various events, picked up his first regional win at Texas Motorplex – his home track – and won two events back-to-back, including the prestigious U.S. Nationals. Heading into the final two races of the season, Green was undefeated in career final rounds and leading the 2024 Top Alcohol Dragster points.
“I didn’t even have the intention of driving a full season this year, but ending it in the way we did last year, you want to ride that momentum,” he says. “Championship or no championship, it has been an incredibly successful season for us.”
Earning the regional Wally for the first time and doing it right there at home was exhilarating for Green, but claiming victory in Indianapolis was particularly meaningful. The U.S. Nationals is the most coveted trophy in all of drag racing, and securing the hardware at the 70th annual rendition of the historic event was a moment that won’t soon be forgotten.
“Each win generates different emotions,” shares Green. “But the U.S. Nationals – if you want to win any race, it’s that one. It’s incredible to be able to call myself a U.S. Nationals champion. We’ve really had a lot of great moments already, and the success I’ve had with Randy Meyer Racing the last few years has absolutely surpassed my expectations.”
Green has found that his experience in drag racing and life outside of the world of motorsports complement one other nicely. Away from the racetrack, he focuses on Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, weight lifting, and running, and he works to remain dialed into proper nutrition – all useful tools in the battle to win.
“One of the most challenging things in racing is just overcoming the pressure and keeping your wits about yourself, remaining cool and calm from the burnout and staging process on,” says Green. “Keeping a cool head is so important, and there is an aspect of mental strength that I’ve had to work on to be successful.
“I’m doing whatever I can to increase the likelihood of performing well on the track. Jiu Jitsu is one of my favorite hobbies, and it’s similar to drag racing in that you have to remain calm in those pressure situations. The skills I’m working on both on the track and off, they all build on one another.”
Although certainly proud of all of his accomplishments to date, Green reflected on things really starting to click mid-season this year, and how that will play into his future in drag racing.
“I finally started hitting my stride, and I started observing all of the things I’ve learned,” he says. “I’m now able to recognize things I’ve learned so that I don’t repeat mistakes, and I can see that I’m growing as a driver. The goal is eventually to move up to the fuel ranks, and to see that I’m able to adapt, learn, and evolve gives me confidence. I can see that I’m growing as a driver, and I’m excited about that.”
This story was originally published on February 7, 2025. 
The post DI 30 Under 30 2024: Hunter Green first appeared on Drag Illustrated.