For the first time in nearly two years, NHRA nitro Funny Car driver/owner Chris King will be back in action.

King is returning to compete at the Gerber Collision and Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK Performance May 19-21 in Chicago. 

“I have been working on this Funny Car deal since our last race in 2021,” said King, who raced successfully in the Top Alcohol Funny Car ranks. “I want to test myself against the best of the best, but I also want to make sure my operation goes A to B with quality parts and a professional looking team. I have to thank Howard Cams, Competition Products, Red Line Oil, and Reid Rocker Arms for coming on board and helping make this happen. We plan on doing at least six and maybe more races if everything works out. We are trying to secure sponsors every day.”

The Chicago firefighter is pursuing his dream at more than 300 mph in less than four seconds racing the Howards Cams/Competition Products Dodge Charger Funny Car at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet. The aspiring professional driver will once again be tuned by veteran Terry Totten and will be looking to chase rookie of the year honors.

King’s planned race schedule is for national events in Chicago as well as races in Norwalk, Ohio, June 22-25); Denver, (July 14-16); Topeka (Kan., Aug. 11-13), Indianapolis (Aug. 30-Sept. 4) and St. Louis (Mo., Sept. 29-Oct. 1).

Back in 2021, King qualified for all three national events he entered in Denver, Topeka, and St. Louis. He started No. 14 in Denver and was No. 15 on the grid in Topeka and St. Louis.

“We were shaking down a new car and operation and it definitely had some gremlins that we worked through,” King said. “As a driver it taught me a lot about driving these insane machines.”

King, who is also the owner of King Training Innovations LLC, a firefighter training company, is representing several public safety charities including Ignite The Spirit, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, The Ronnie Thames Foundation, and The Leary Firefighters Foundation.
 
“Everything I do, I do 100% and whether it is racing or helping others I want to give it my all,” said King, who in his time off enjoys playing hockey, building, and remodeling homes, and a variety of outdoor activities. “I started racing motorcycles when I was 10 and I moved over to drag racing at Great Lakes Dragway. Going fast and competing has been in my blood my whole life. I have a lot of people to thank for helping me along the way including Funny Car pros like Frank Hawley and Jack Beckman.”

In terms of his car design in 2023 that came courtesy of Jason Beckman, the 14-year-old son of former 2012 NHRA nitro Funny Car world champion Jack Beckman.

The Beckmans will be on hand at the Chicago race to see Jason’s creation in action for the first time.
 
“I saw some of Jason’s artwork and I was really impressed. I am all about paying it forward, so I reached out to see if he wanted to design the look of my Funny Car,” King said. “His dad Jack was very encouraging to me when I was making the move from alcohol Funny Car to nitro Funny Car. I love the NHRA community, and it really is one big family. I missed being away from it and I am working my tail off to get out here as much as possible.”