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National Event in Chicago CHICAGO (May 13, 2026) — This weekend at the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 Nationals presented by Peak Chicagoan Chris King will hang up his fireman’s protective gear for an Impact firesuit to pilot the Howards Cams/Competition Products Nitro Funny Car. For King handling the dual role of team owner and driver is an exciting diversion from his day-to-day as a lieutenant for the Chicago Fire Department. The team will be looking to grab one of the 16 qualifier spots to race for the coveted 75th anniversary diamond Wally on Sunday at Rt. 66 Raceway in Joliet, Illinois. The last time King was behind the wheel was during the Stampede of Speed and Texas Fall Nationals in October at the Texas Motorplex outside of Dallas. “It’s been a long off-season,” said King. “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. We wanted to run Gainesville, but parts availability and timing just didn’t work out. 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. 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.” Chris King is ready to get back on track in Chicago and start his 2026 NHRA season, photo credit Innovative Creation ExpertsThe Howards Cams/Competition Products Funny Car will continue to be tuned by veteran crew chief Bob Peck. He has been instrumental in continuing to lower King’s personal bests in elapsed times and raising his personal bests in speed. A solid racing surface like Rt. 66 Raceway could be a great launching pad for more personal bests by King. “I am excited to still have crew chief Bob Peck making all the calls and he is excited too,” said King. “I am looking forward to sending this thing full tilt.” For a team that is building its program from the ground up King has maintained strong support from long-time sponsors Competition Products and Howards Cams. In addition, King has support from NGK and Hydraulic Energy Applications who will be using the event to host clients and guests at the fastest sporting event in the world. “Competition Products and Howard’s Cams been very loyal,” said King. “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. This is the perfect place to host B2B events. There is exciting on-track action and then people can get right up beside the race team.” The anticipation of getting to race week has been tough for a seasoned competitor like King. He has qualified for the biggest race in the series, the U.S. Nationals, and his team has been working diligently over the off-season. They had planned to get started at the season opening Gatornationals, but parts and supply chain issues kept them on the sidelines. Now with all the equipment and parts in hand King is ready to put the off-season frustration behind him. “Now that it’s race week, I’m getting pumped up,” said King. “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. I had a lot of hurdles to overcome in the off-season. There were a lot of highs and lows. The was a lot of questioning myself asking, ‘Why am I still doing this?’ When this weekend comes up and its race week things are starting to happen. That’s why I do it and why we are all out here battling.” Qualifying for the Gerber Collision and Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals will begin on Friday, May 15, with two sessions of the four professional categories. On Saturday, fans will be treated to two more qualifying sessions. The quickest 16 race cars, dragsters and motorcycles will race for the famed Diamond Wally trophy beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday. The race will be broadcast nationally on FS1 Sund |
