Growing up the youngest in an established racing family in an established racing town, Jeff Green was born with the genes and surroundings of what it takes to become a championship driver. Green, 41, is today one of the most successful drivers in NASCAR history. In 2004 he joins the most successful organization ever when he teams with Petty Enterprises to drive the famed No. 43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge. It will be his first full year driving for legendary owner "The King" Richard Petty, but a solid eight-race foundation at the end of the 2003 season gives the team and Green, plenty of confidence heading into this season.
Green has had racing on his mind, and in his blood, since birth. The youngest of three racing brothers, Green watched and learned from his siblings Mark and David. He was tutored by two of the best as both David and Mark’s careers are some of the most competitive the NASCAR Busch series has ever seen. Green, however, knew that watching was just not enough. At an early age, knowing that he wanted to become a championship driver himself, he stepped behind the wheel of a race machine. Beginning with go-karts, he sought to become the next great driver to come out of Owensboro, Kentucky. His older brothers have enjoyed success at the upper levels of NASCAR. Other Owensboro natives; Darrell and Michael Waltrip along with Jeremy Mayfield, also became stars of the NASCAR Nextel Cup series. Green became determined to have his name added to the list of the greatest drivers to come out of the small Southeastern town.
His first break came in 1990 when he was invited to drive for car owner John Boatman in two races on the NASCAR Busch series tour. Though it was a humble start, Green was laying a ground work for what was to become one of the sport’s greatest Busch series careers. Throughout the next three seasons (1991-93) Green raced a total of 38 Busch series races, collecting three top-10s, one top-five, and a pole - the first of his young career. A time when young drivers had to prove themselves time and time again to NASCAR’s owners for a top ride, Green was persistent in gaining the racing world’s attention. Testing the Nextel Cup series waters for the first time, Green entered three races in 1994. Like his Busch series’ first years, he was met with adverse challenges. Looking to find a top ride with one of the sport’s top owners was becoming more and more critical. A talented driver, he was more than ready to showcase his talents. This thought was not lost on one of the most admired names in the sport. In 1995, Green was announced as the Busch series driver for a team owned by the wife of the late Dale Earnhardt, Teresa.
That was the breakout season that Green was looking for. In his first full year in the NASCAR Busch series Green earned 12 top-10s, six top-fives, and his second career pole award. He finished fifth in the final points standings and solidified himself as a championship contender in that series. The following year Green returned and finished fourth in the Busch series championship chase. The Earnhardt’s had given him the opportunity that he needed to prove himself - and he did just that.
Looking to make his next big step of his career, Green took a chance in the middle of the 1997 season to race on the NASCAR Nextel Cup series. A change early in the season, car owner Gary Bechtel called upon Green to fill his vacant seat. The decision was tough to make as he was already making big waves on the Busch series tour. Green earned two poles and picked up his first career Busch series win at the Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway. Still, he did answer positively to Bechtel and quickly made an impact with the low-budget team. Green qualified fourth in the team’s first race together, the Coca-Cola 600 at the Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. Green competed in 19 more races for the team and earned a fourth-place finish in the season finale race at the Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway.
Knowing that he could compete in Nextel Cup competition, and win in the Busch series, a career with wins and championships was starting to blossom. The next step proved to be Green’s biggest learning curve. Staying in the Nextel Cup series in 1998, he started 22 races for three different owners. That year, though, he never found a solid foundation where he could showcase his talents in the Nextel Cup series. A competitive driver with the tenacity to win, Green returned to the Busch Series in 1999.
The next three seasons (1999-2001) Green dominated the NASCAR Busch series. In that three-year stretch, Green accumulated 72 top-10s, 56 top-fives, 14 poles, and 13 wins. The highlight of the span came in 2000 when he won the NASCAR Busch series championship in record fashion, shattering the record for the largest margin of victory in winning the championship by over 600 points. The championship also made him and his older brother, David, the first siblings to win a modern-day major auto racing championship.
At the end of the 2001 season, Green jumped back into the Nextel Cup series in 2002 with a top-notch team - Richard Childress Racing (RCR). The two had paired on a part-time basis in 2001 and the result was a pole at the challenging Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway. That pole was Green’s first in Nextel Cup. In the full 2002 season for RCR, Green entered all 36 races and gathered four top-five and six top-10 finishes. He also won the pole for that year’s Daytona 500. Green finished 17th in the championship chase and proved to everyone that he was a bonafide threat on the Nextel Cup circuit.
In the 2003 season Green moved and raced for three of the most prestigious racing organizations. Green stepped behind the wheel for RCR, Dale Earnhardt Inc, and ended the season with Petty Enterprises. Petty Enterprises sensed the raw talent that Green has showcased throughout his career and signed the driver for the 2004 season. Proving that being in the right situation with the right people, Green can compete for wins and championships. At the end of the 2003 season he felt confidence in himself and confidence that Petty Enterprises is the place where both could become a winning combination. Green, General Mills, and all of Petty Enterprises are excited for a full season together. A winning driver and a winning organization have made their goals high for 2004.
Racing 32 of the 36 Cup Series races for the 2007 season, Green finished 32nd in the Cup Championship standings and finished in the top-10 three times during the season. His career average finish is 26.5.
