David “IRONMAN”
Green reaches 350
|
Years |
Wins |
Top-5 |
Top-10 |
Poles |
|
15 |
9 |
71 |
140 |
22 |
Since making his
first start in 1991,
David Green has been
a staple figure in
the NASCAR Busch
Series. Next week’s
Dover 200 marks his
350th
race in the Busch
Series, which will
place him second on
the all time list
for career starts.
Over the past 15
years, he has
achieved nearly
every award the
series has to offer,
winning the Busch
Series Championship
in 1994, the Busch
Pole in 1994-1995
and the Most Popular
Driver in 1996. He
has raced against
the best and beaten
the best.
What are some of
your highs over the
past 15 years?
There have been so
many highs; I don’t
know where to
begin. I won the
Busch Series
Championship in
1994, finished 2nd
in 1996 and 2nd
again in 2003. I
was also the Most
Popular Driver in
1996 and the Busch
Pole winner in
1994-1995. In 2002,
I got my big break
when I took over for
Ricky Hendrick in
the #5 Hendrick
Busch car. I feel
this move
regenerated my
career. My first win
my rookie year was
also pretty big. I
was a little blown
away by the win
because it was only
my 7th
start. That
definitely ranks
right up there with
the best of them.
If I had to pick
one, it would have
to be winning a
NASCAR Busch Series
Championship. It
was a dream come
true. I just can’t
wait to relive that
dream when I win
another one.
What are some of
your lows?
I would like to
forget the lows. In
1992, I didn’t have
a ride. It was the
right after my 1991
rookie season. Then
in 2002, I didn’t
have a full time
ride, which really
bothered me.
Many people talk
about the
differences in
racing from the 90’s
to today. What
differences and
changes do you see?
Everything was real
simple back then.
The Cup drivers
either raced for
themselves or for a
Busch team. There
wasn’t this four or
five team dominance
that there is
today. Nowadays,
the Cup teams have
Busch teams, Truck
teams and
development
programs. It’s a
pretty big
difference as far as
the NASCAR
organization is
concerned. As for
the day to day and
garage stuff, there
isn’t much of a
difference. Sure,
there are a few more
team members, bigger
trailers, more
computers and more
motor coaches. But
other than that,
it’s still the same
sport. It’s all
about going fast,
turning left, taking
care of your
equipment and of
your sponsors.
What is your
favorite track?
It’s got to be
Bristol. It’s all
about the driver.
But really I like
them all… Richmond,
Pikes Peak,
Homestead and of
course the old
Rockingham track.
What do you think
the differences in
the drivers are
today from 10 to 15
years ago?
I think talent is
about the same. The
biggest difference
in the drivers is
their age. Back
then the new guys
were in their late
20-30’s. Nowadays
they are 18-20 when
they start their
Busch career.
If you could race
against any driver,
who would it be?
Michael Schumacher
and John Force in a
Busch car.
What was it like
winning the
Championship?
It was a dream come
true. It’s the
whole process that
means so much to
me. All the
sacrifices I had
make when I had to
move to North
Carolina. I slept
in hotels and on the
floors of friends’
apartments as I
figured out my
future in the Busch
Series. After
dealing with the
fact that I didn’t
have a ride in 1992,
I got a chance to go
work with the
Labontes. I took
over for Bobby in
the Slim Jim car.
It meant so much to
me to get Bobby his
first championship
as an owner. It
seems like yesterday
when I think back
about my
championship.
Who was the person
who took you under
their wing when you
were just getting
started?
Early in my Busch
career, it was Wayne
Day who helped me
out. He gave me the
opportunity of a
lifetime… a chance
to drive in NASCAR
and gave me a job in
his race shop. After
Wayne, it was Mike
Alexander and Bobby
Labonte. Bobby took
me under his wing,
made me a
championship driver
and a Busch Series
Champion.
What’s it been like
over the years to
race against your
brothers?
It’s very
competitive between
us. I’m very proud
that Jeff and I are
the only two
brothers to have won
Busch Series
Championships. Mark
is just as deserving
of a good ride and a
championship.
Hopefully, Mark will
get his opportunity
soon. I’m always
keeping my eyes
peeled for my
brothers.
Hopefully, I can
help them but more
importantly race
them and win!
What have you gotten
out of the Busch
Series so far?
Gray hair! No,
seriously… a bunch
of friendships, a
lot of great racing
and the opportunity
to represent some
great companies,
Slim
Jim, Caterpillar,
Kodiak, GMAC, Timber
Wolf, USPS, Kleenex®
and everyone at
Kimberly-Clark.
What do you see
yourself doing after
your racing career
is over?
I want to stay
involved in the
sport. I would like
to be with a Cup
team or with their
Busch team, helping
a new young and
upcoming driver.
But my main focus in
life is, I want to
be a good father to
my children, Kaylie
& Austin as they
make their way
through life and
choose their future
careers. I’ll help
and support Austin
as he races
go-karts. Then
we’ll see where that
leads him.
