CHICAGO (October 8, 2025) — Chicago firefighter and Nitro Funny Car team owner and driver Chris King is coming to the Lone Star State for the 40th NHRA Texas Fall Nationals looking to lasso a successful weekend of racing results and fan experiences. Driving the Competition Parts/Howards Cam Nitro Funny Car tuned by veteran Bob Peck, King returns to Texas Motorplex for the second year in a row to participate in the Stampede of Speed, a 10-day extravaganza of speed, music and family events celebrating its fifth year.
“I experienced the Stampede of Speed for the first time last year and our whole team was blown away,” said King. “This year we are coming in even earlier to attend the Champions’ Dinner and be all set for the Thursday night FanFest and then a busy race weekend. Our program has steadily been improving and I am excited to get to Texas and see how we can close out the season on a high note.”
Chris King is eager to take on Stampede of Speed at Texas Motorplex, photo credit Werner Communications
Chris King Eager to Take on Stampede of Speed and Texas Fall Nationals
CHICAGO (October 8, 2025) — Chicago firefighter and Nitro Funny Car team owner and driver Chris King is coming to the Lone Star State for the 40th NHRA Texas Fall Nationals looking to lasso a successful weekend of racing results and fan experiences. Driving the Competition Parts/Howards Cam Nitro Funny Car tuned by veteran Bob Peck, King returns to Texas Motorplex for the second year in a row to participate in the Stampede of Speed, a 10-day extravaganza of speed, music and family events celebrating its fifth year.
“I experienced the Stampede of Speed for the first time last year and our whole team was blown away,” said King. “This year we are coming in even earlier to attend the Champions’ Dinner and be all set for the Thursday night FanFest and then a busy race weekend. Our program has steadily been improving and I am excited to get to Texas and see how we can close out the season on a high note.”
Chris King is eager to take on Stampede of Speed at Texas Motorplex, photo credit Werner Communications
King has raced several races this season as he builds his program towards full-time NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series participation. King opened the season in Chicago making qualifying runs before attending his son’s college graduation on race day. The team returned to action for the Norwalk Nationals narrowly missing qualifying for a stout 16-car Funny Car field. King was dealt a tough blow at the historic U.S. Nationals finishing five rounds of qualifying as the No. 17 Funny Car just barely on the outside of the quick 16. King is hopeful his luck will turn around at Texas Motorplex.
“This season has been a challenge for sure but no one on this team is hanging their head,” said King, who last year narrowly missed the Fall Nationals field. “We have been right on the edge of making some of the tightest Funny Car fields going against full-time teams. We have all the pieces and we just need them to line up for us in qualifying and then again on race day.”
Peck and King have made huge strides since they started working together last season. The duo has improved the overall performance of the team and King has added more equipment, including a full-size race hauler, and deeper parts inventory. Several teams have stepped up to help Peck and King pull everything together to make as many races as possible.
“The NHRA community of competitors has really been amazing this season,” said King. “Teams we are racing against have helped us with parts. Bob has a great relationship with so many crew chiefs he can bounce his ideas off them and we have really stepped up. I can’t thank Bob, my crew and everyone who has contributed to our success. We may not see it on the qualifying sheet, but we are getting better every race.”
During the week leading up to the NHRA Texas Fall Nationals King will attend the Champion’s Dinner at the Texas Motorplex Champion’s Club. The event is an invitation only celebration of the 2024 Texas Fall Nationals and all former winners over the past 40 seasons. The PreStage FanFest takes place on Thursday with King joining nearly 65 Mission Foods Drag Racing Series competitors and 80 JEGS Allstar racers in a massive free autograph session from 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at Railyard Park.
King will be on track for two qualifying sessions on Friday including the JEGS Friday Night Live which will include special Opening Ceremonies prior to the start of professional qualifying and huge cash payouts for all four professional categories during the night-time qualifying session as part of the “Battle for the Saddle.” Two more qualifying sessions will take place on Saturday to fill out the 16-Funny Car field. Final eliminations will commence at 10 a.m. on Sunday. Fans can tune into watching the race on FOX’s national broadcast.
