The Crittenden Automotive Library

Zizzo to Face Massey in Joliet From 16th

Topics: O’Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 NHRA Nationals

Zizzo to Face Massey in Joliet From 16th

Brandon Mudd
High Side Media
Zizzo Racing
July 9, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

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

Zizzo to Face Massey in Joliet From 16th

JOLIET, Ill. – It’s not how the PEAK Motor Oil/Herculiner NHRA Full Throttle Series Top Fuel team wanted to start Sunday’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 NHRA Nationals eliminations, but TJ Zizzo isn’t complaining about starting from the 16^th position and facing top qualifier Spencer Massey.

“We’ve had a lot of friends, family, marketing partners here and to be No. 16 qualifier sounds disappointing, but at the same time, I’m not disappointed,” Zizzo said after the final round of qualifying Saturday. “We’re in the show. We have an opportunity tomorrow. Yeah, we gotta go against the guy who’s gone down the track 40 times in a row. I get it, I understand that. But we’re in the show and we’re going to do the best we can.”

Zizzo made the show thanks to a 4.053 second ET at 295.79 mph run in Q3 Saturday. Friday’s qualifying resulted in a halted pass after smoking the tires and a scratched run due to a fuel leak at the line. Crew chief Mike Kern was hoping to advance their spot in the final round of qualifying with the cooler temps of evening qualifying, but the gremlins weren’t done with the car just yet.

“We went out there and just tried to move up safely into the field,” Kern said. “Sixteenth is not where we want to be. Somehow, some way, the engine was hurt before we got to the starting line and slowed down to a 4.14. So we’re gonna have to put a fresh bullet in for tomorrow and try to give Spencer all we got.”

Massey earned the pole after a 3.819 second pass at 319.29 mph. The Don Schumacher Racing pilot made his 40^th-consecutive A-to-B pass Saturday night and Zizzo figures that kind of streak can’t last forever.

“We’ll see what happens tomorrow,” he said. “It might be a roll of the dice. You go down the track 40 times in a row and eventually, you’re going to have to smoke the tires or make a mistake. I never wish anybody bad luck but at the same time, we’re going to need a little bit of luck.”

Eliminations at Route 66 Raceway are scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. Sunday.

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.

-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.

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
Event Coordinator: 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

Our mailing address is:
Zizzo Racing, Inc.
23275 North Olsen Court
Prairie View, IL 60069
Copyright (C) 2011 Zizzo Racing, Inc.

The Zizzo Racing logo and TJ Zizzo are trademarks of Zizzo Racing, Inc.