Chris King Excited to Compete in Chicago Hometown National Race

Highlights

Chris King competes in Nitro Funny Car at Route 66 Raceway.
Qualifying starts May 15 with 16 spots for Diamond Wally trophy.
King balances roles as Chicago firefighter lieutenant and team owner.
Veteran crew chief Bob Peck continues tuning King’s race car.
Longtime sponsors include Competition Products, Howards Cams, NGK, and HEA.
Event airs nationally on FS1 Sunday at 11:00 a.m. race start.

Chicago native Chris King returns to Nitro Funny Car duty at Route 66 Raceway this weekend, targeting a top-16 berth and the 75th-anniversary Diamond Wally.

The firefighter lieutenant doubles as team owner-driver of the Howards Cams/Competition Products entry, resuming competition after October’s Texas Fall Nationals and a parts-constrained off‑season.

King says a Dallas-based adjustment transformed the tune-up. With veteran crew chief Bob Peck continuing, the team ends testing and commits to competitive runs from the outset.

Chris King prepares to race Nitro Funny Car at the Route 66 Nationals in Joliet, Illinois — Image Credit: Drag Illustrated

Route 66’s smooth surface should reward clean application. Expect conservative early steps to bank a number, then incremental power as conditions allow and clutch strategy stabilizes.

Longstanding backing from Competition Products and Howards Cams remains central. NGK and Hydraulic Energy Applications add support, with hospitality planned for clients trackside to strengthen B2B relationships.

“I am a terrible spectator. Seeing other drivers race has been killing me,” King says after a prolonged off-season.

Qualifying opens Friday, May 15, with two pro sessions and continues Saturday. The top 16 advance to Sunday eliminations, scheduled to start at 11:00 a.m.

The event airs nationally on FS1 Sunday evening, expanding reach for partners and offering valuable exposure for an independent entrant operating without manufacturer-scale resources.

Gainesville’s intended season start fell through amid supply delays. Fully stocked now, King insists the program re-centers on execution rather than acquisition.

“We found something in Dallas and made an adjustment that has been very positive for our tune-up,” King says.

Two weeks ago, he admits contemplating stepping away. Race week’s momentum restores focus on decision-making cadence required of an owner-driver under tight turnaround pressures.

Peck’s influence remains measurable, with personal best improvements in elapsed time and speed. The aim now is repeatability, balancing cylinder pressure, clutch wear, and traction window.

Only 16 Nitro Funny Cars race on Sunday, leaving minimal margin during early qualifying runs.

Route 66 typically offers grip and lane consistency. That encourages a bolder ceiling later, though the depth of the Funny Car field punishes early missteps.

Beyond performance, sponsor guests gain close team access, a differentiator for B2B engagement that underpins the independent operation’s sustainability and longer-term calendar ambitions.

King’s objective is clear: qualify securely, then escalate. With hometown support and a stable technical package, the program seeks momentum after a difficult winter.