For most people, battling fires in Chicago would provide more than enough adrenaline. For Chris King, it’s what he does for a living.
This weekend at the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK, the Chicago firefighter will trade his lieutenant’s gear from the Chicago Fire Department for an Impact firesuit as he climbs back behind the wheel of the Howards Cams/Competition Products Nitro Funny Car for his long-awaited 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series debut.
The Route 66 Raceway event in Joliet, Illinois, marks King’s first appearance since competing at the Stampede of Speed and Texas Fall Nationals last October at the Texas Motorplex. After months of offseason frustration, parts delays, and supply chain issues, King is finally ready to get his Funny Car program back on track.
Long Offseason Fueled Chris King’s Desire To Race
The veteran Funny Car racer admitted that sitting on the sidelines while the NHRA season unfolded was one of the toughest parts of the offseason. Although the team initially planned to open the year at the Gatornationals, delays involving parts availability forced the operation to postpone its return.
Now, with the team fully prepared for competition, King says the excitement level heading into Joliet is sky-high.
“It’s been a long off-season,” King said. “We found something in Dallas, and we made an adjustment that has been very positive for our tune-up. Ever since getting out of the car in Dallas, I couldn’t wait to get back in this Funny Car.”
The team used lessons learned during the Texas Fall Nationals to improve its setup during the offseason, giving King confidence the car will immediately be competitive at Route 66 Raceway.
“We wanted to run Gainesville, but parts availability and timing just didn’t work out,” King explained. “It’s been a very long, frustrating off-season for me. I am a terrible spectator. Seeing all these other drivers getting to race has just been killing me.”
Now that race week has finally arrived, the anticipation has turned into motivation.
“To finally make our season debut in Joliet with a good race car that we don’t have to test anymore, we can just send it on the first run is very exciting.”
Veteran Crew Chief Bob Peck Continues Leading Program
One of the biggest strengths for the Howards Cams/Competition Products Funny Car team remains veteran crew chief Bob Peck. Peck has played a critical role in helping King steadily improve his performance behind the wheel, guiding the team to quicker elapsed times and faster speeds as the operation continues building from the ground up.
With Route 66 Raceway known for its strong racing surface and fast conditions, King believes the Chicago-area facility could provide another opportunity to reset personal bests.
“I am excited to still have crew chief Bob Peck making all the calls, and he is excited too,” King said. “I am looking forward to sending this thing full tilt.”
Strong Sponsor Support Keeps Program Growing
Building and maintaining an independent Nitro Funny Car operation is never easy, but King’s team has continued growing thanks to loyal marketing partners and strong business relationships. Longtime supporters Competition Products and Howards Cams remain key pieces of the operation, while additional backing from NGK and Hydraulic Energy Applications has helped strengthen the team entering 2026.
King says NHRA events provide an unmatched experience for sponsors and business guests because of the unique access available in the pits.
“Competition Products and Howard’s Cams have been very loyal,” King said. “NGK stepped up pretty big this year. Robert Rohde with Hydraulic Energy Applications is going to have a couple of people at the race, and we are excited to be hosting them.”
For companies looking to entertain clients and experience motorsports up close, King believes NHRA drag racing offers something no other form of racing can match.
“This is the perfect place to host B2B events,” King explained. “There is exciting on-track action, and then people can get right up beside the race team.”
Emotional Rollercoaster Nearly Pushed King Away From Racing
Like many independent racers, King faced difficult moments during the offseason while trying to keep the Funny Car program moving forward. The challenges of securing parts, managing expenses, and handling the pressures of ownership created moments of doubt for the firefighter-turned-racer.
“Now that it’s race week, I’m getting pumped up,” King said. “Two weeks ago, I was talking about quitting, but now that it’s here, I’m getting excited and getting right back to that point where I need to be as an owner and a driver.”
Despite the frustrations, King says the excitement of competition and race-week atmosphere always pulls him back in.
“I had a lot of hurdles to overcome in the off-season,” King admitted. “There were a lot of highs and lows. There was a lot of questioning myself asking, ‘Why am I still doing this?’”
But once the trucks roll into the racetrack, the answer becomes obvious.
“When this weekend comes up, and it’s race week, things are starting to happen,” King said. “That’s why I do it and why we are all out here battling.”
As qualifying begins at Route 66 Raceway, King and the Howards Cams/Competition Products team will be chasing one of the coveted 16 Funny Car spots in Sunday eliminations, and hoping the long offseason wait turns into a breakthrough weekend in front of the hometown Chicago crowd.
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