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Zizzo Racing’s Kenny Youngblood Paint Scheme to Honor Karamesines, Garlits


Drag Racing
Topics:  TJ Zizzo, O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Route 66 Nationals, Kenny Youngblood, Chris Karamesines, Don Garlits

TJ Zizzo
TJ Zizzo is the driver of the PEAK/Herculiner NHRA Full Throttle Series Top Fuel dragster and his family-owned team is based in Lincolnshire, Ill. TJ has raced his entire life and runs Zizzo Enterprises, Inc., when he's not racing. He and his wife, Jen, have two children -- Maddie and Nick -- and spends what little free time he has golfing and riding motorcycles. Follow TJ on Twitter at Twitter.com/TJZizzo and on Facebook at Facebook.com/TJZizzo.

Team:
Owner: Tony Zizzo
Crew Chief: Mike Kern
Clutch Specialist: Tony Smith
Utilities/Tires: Mike Adams
Public Relations: Cathie Gallo
Cylinder Heads: Rick Dale
Car Chief: Rick Messmore
Bottom End/Motor Assembly: Ryan Ramos
Clutch/Car Assembly: Chris Schneider
Cylinder Head (right): Joe Cluts
Utility: Doug Wikell
Public/Media Relations: Brandon W. Mudd

Zizzo Racing’s Kenny Youngblood Paint Scheme to Honor Karamesines, Garlits

Brandon W. Mudd
Zizzo Racing
July 6, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT:
Brandon W. Mudd
BWMudd@ZizzoRacing.com
636-219-9676


JOLIET, Ill. – TJ Zizzo and his PEAK Motor Oil/Herculiner NHRA Full Throttle Series Top Fuel Dragster team’s season-long tribute to legendary drag racing artist Kenny Youngblood will make this weekend’s O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Route 66 Nationals at Route 66 Raceway here the team’s third outing on its 2011 schedule. For this race, the Youngblood artwork on the rail will honor “Big Daddy” Don Garlits and Chicago native Chris “The Greek” Karamesines.

“Chicago is our home town, so we really want to make a statement this weekend, both with performance and appearance,” Zizzo said. “We qualified well at both Pomona and Houston, but just didn’t put it together in eliminations; we’re out to change that this weekend.”

“When you think about it, this makes TJ’s car the world’s only 300 mph art gallery!” said Youngblood, 65. “On top of which, both ‘The Greek’ and ‘The Old Man’ have agreed to autograph their respective vignettes -- Garlits’ ‘Nightwing II’ and ‘Greek Goes 204.’”

Fans are invited to stop by the Zizzo Racing Peak Motor Oil pit area to meet Zizzo and Youngblood and check out Blood’s artwork.

Fans of TJ Zizzo and Zizzo Racing can find updates and photos of the PEAK/Herculiner Top Fuel team by checking out ZizzoRacing.com, Twitter.com/ZizzoRacing, and Facebook.com/ZizzoRacing. Videos of TJ and Zizzo Racing can be found at YouTube.com/TJZizzo.

Zizzo will race his PEAK/Herculiner rail in the 14th Annual O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Route 66 Nationals at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet. The stars of the NHRA will race under the stars this weekend, with the first round of qualifying starting at 5 p.m. local time and the second scheduled to run at 8 with Saturday’s two rounds of nitro qualifying set to run at the same times. Eliminations start at 11 a.m. Sunday. For ticket information, call Route 66 Raceway at 888-629-RACE or visit them on the Web at Route66Raceway.com.

-ZR-


About Zizzo Racing:
Zizzo Racing has been involved in drag racing at the top levels for more than 30 years. Based in Lincolnshire, Ill. and owned by Tony Zizzo, the team started racing in 1980 in the Top Alcohol Dragster class, moving to nitro with TJ in 2004 after earning his class license. In 2007, TJ Zizzo finished second in the final IHRA standings and now competes on a part-time basis in the NHRA Full Throttle Series.

About PEAK/Old World Industries:
PEAK® Performance Products are marketed and distributed by Old World Industries, which is among the largest privately held companies competing in the automotive aftermarket. The Northbrook, Illinois based company enjoys a presence in the automotive product markets, energy exploration, and chemical manufacturing in more than 50 countries worldwide. Old World's Product offering includes PEAK® Antifreeze; PEAK® Windshield Wash and Wiper Blades; PEAK® Performance Motor Oil; a full line of PEAK® Electronics; HERCULINER® Truck Bed Liner Kits; and SIERRA®, the safer antifreeze. For more information, please visit www.peakauto.com.




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