Last year at the Cornwell Tools U.S. Nationals Chris King and his Competition Products/Howards Cams created one of the high drama moments during the final qualifying session. Sitting in the No. 16 spot King and his team had to wait and watch to make one of the most competitive fields in recent U.S. Nationals history. They made the show and this season they are looking to avoid the drama with a strong showing when qualifying begins this Friday, August 29, at 7:30 p.m. at Lucas Oil Raceway Park in Indianapolis.
“I don’t ever want to go through that stress again,” said King, who owns and drives the Competition Products/Howards Cams Funny Car. “We battled through so many issues to get into the show and then to have to stand on the starting line waiting was excruciating. We have made so many strides since that race I can’t wait to get to Indy.”
Since that race King has been adding more parts and working with his crew chief Bob Peck to evaluate every aspect of their team. This season following the Chicago event where they made consistent qualifying passes King is even more motivated. Following the Norwalk NHRA national event the team realized their tune-up was looking for ways to get quicker and faster. At the Cornwell Tools U.S. Nationals King and crew chief Peck are going to be making big swings when the car is one the track.
“We looked back at the data on some of our runs from Norwalk and we realized we could make some small adjustments and see some big gains hopefully,” said King. “There were some runs where we found some things that the car likes and we plan on taking advantage of what we’ve learned from previous data. I am excited to see what Bob and the team can do when we have five qualifying runs to get ready for race day.”
Throughout his Funny Car career King, who is a full-time Chicago firefighter, has steadily improved his on-track performance. Working with Bob Peck and with sponsor support from Competition Products and Howards Cams King is a threat to run with the top teams on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series.
“Our goal from day one has been to entertain the fans on and off the track and also put on a good show with our Funny Car,” said King. “For a team that only runs a handful of events I think we do things the right way. Every race we enter we have more fans coming up to our hauler and asking about our program. There are a ton of firefighter and first responders that are rooting for us. I love being able to represent them when we are at the races.”
This weekend King will be involved in number of fan events including autograph signings and fan engagement activities on the NHRA stage. In addition, he is planning on hosting members of the Brownsburg (Ind.) Fire Department throughout the race.
“I love being able to host firefighters from around the country at the races,” said King. ‘We have taken drivers to fire stations and served meals at fire stations but there is nothing like having the men and women who are protecting our communities at the track. When they see our Competition Products/Howards Cams Funny Car up close they are blown away.”
To add to the excitement and as a special thank you to first responders and veteran King is inviting any servicemember or first responder to sign his Funny Car during the qualifying sessions. Starting on Friday fans can come to his pits and sign their name on his 12,000-horsepower Funny Car. King is hoping to get hundreds of signatures on his car and more importantly make four runs on Monday to celebrate and thank the first responders for their efforts.
“This isn’t a new idea, but I think it is always cool when fans can get their name on a race car,” said King. “I want to have the car covered in signatures and hopefully it will bring me some luck but more importantly I want to let these men and women know everyone at the NHRA appreciates their sacrifices. I know I do as a fellow firefighter.”
King and the Competition Products/Howards Cams team will be on track for the first time Friday night at 7:30 p.m. and then they will have two more qualifying runs on Saturday and Sunday trying to post one of the 16 quickest elapsed times. On Monday the quickest 16 Funny Cars will battle for the coveted Wally trophy and chance to etch their name in history. Fans can watch the race on FS1 and FOX all weekend.
This story was originally published on August 27, 2025. 
