When Chris King isn’t behind the wheel of his nitro Funny Car, he’s on the frontlines as a professional firefighter. It’s a balance between two adrenaline-fueled worlds that demand precision, focus, and courage—qualities King brought to the 2024 NHRA season with impressive results.
The 2024 season marked a turning point for King, who began a new chapter with Bob Peck as his crew chief.
“We started fresh with Bob, rebuilt the car, and made some great strides,” King said. “We ran career-best numbers, hit career-best speeds, and built up a solid parts inventory. My driving improved significantly, and while we had our struggles, the positives far outweighed the negatives.”
King’s performance improvements weren’t just on paper. With his retooled car and steady progress, he set the stage for bigger things in 2025.
“We’ve got this car figured out. It’s going to keep getting better and better, and we’ll be in the threes in no time,” he said confidently.
While King dreams of running a full schedule, his program remains significantly self-funded, with limited sponsor backing.
“I’d love to race every event, but right now, we’re planning for five or six races,” King shared. “We’ll kick things off in Gainesville and focus on our Midwest swing, with stops in Chicago, Norwalk, Indy, and St. Louis. Brainerd is tentative, depending on how things go, but we’re looking to keep it manageable.”
For now, King’s sponsorship lineup includes brands like Howard’s Cams, NGK Spark Plugs, Fire Department Coffee, Goodson, Impact, and Reid Rocker Arms. Despite his hustle to secure additional funding, he acknowledges the challenges.
“It’s been a tough year sponsor-wise for many teams, not just us. But regardless, we’ll be out there for at least four or five races unless something major happens,” King said.
King’s dual roles as a firefighter and Funny Car driver offer unique synergies, particularly through his partnership with Fire Department Coffee.
“There are tons of parallels between the two,” he explained. “Both are insanely dangerous and exciting, which is why I love them. Who better to represent Fire Department Coffee than the only professional firefighter in the nitro ranks?”
King hinted at plans to expand this partnership, potentially collaborating with fellow Fire Department Coffee driver Antron Brown. “We’d like to team up and do more in the NHRA space. It’s a great match, and I think there’s a lot of potential there,” he added.
King credits much of his 2024 progress to seat time and the expertise of his crew chief, Bob Peck. “
There’s no substitute for seat time,” King said. “These cars are insanely unpredictable, so the more laps you make, the more comfortable you get. Bob’s been giving me a great car to drive, which makes my job easier.”
In addition to on-track experience, King focuses on maintaining peak physical and mental fitness. “Staying in shape and staying sharp mentally are critical,” he said. “I’m working on reaction times and consistency because we’re aiming to go A-to-B every time.”
King’s underdog status hasn’t stopped him from making a name for himself in the nitro ranks. “The big teams know we’re not a duck anymore,” he said with a smile. “We proved ourselves last year, and we’re coming out swinging. If you don’t go down the track, we’ll beat you.”
All King needs is one break. “A little financial help, and we’ll be a team to watch,” he said. “We’re consistent, we’re improving, and we’re ready to ruin someone’s day.”
Chris King’s journey is fueled by passion, determination, and a relentless drive to succeed—qualities that make him a standout both on the track and in his firefighting career. As he gears up for 2025, one thing is clear: Chris King is just getting started.
This story was originally published on December 19, 2024. 
The post Chris King: Balancing Firefighting and Nitro Funny Car Dreams first appeared on Drag Illustrated.