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Zizzo, PEAK Motor Oil Team Ready to Cash In at Vegas

Topics: Big O Tires NHRA Nationals

Zizzo, PEAK Motor Oil Team Ready to Cash In at Vegas

Brandon Mudd
High Side Media
Zizzo Racing
October 27, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

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

Zizzo, PEAK Motor Oil Team Ready to Cash In at Vegas

LAS VEGAS – To paraphrase Vince Vaughn in the movie "Swingers," TJ Zizzo is so money he doesn't even know it.

Zizzo and his PEAK Motor Oil/Herculiner Top Fuel team may be one of the most underrated in the NHRA Full Throttle Series. At every race in which they compete, the Chicago-based crew is a threat and their competitors know the odds can easily favor Zizzo Racing this weekend when the chips are down. This weekend at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the Big O Tires NHRA Nationals, Zizzo Racing is going all in and won't be satisfied unless they're picking up a Wally at the cashier's window. Or the Winner's Circle. Whichever. The point being, they're racing for nothing less than a win in the desert.

"There are many teams that have stepped their performance up since midseason and with 27 Top Fuelers pre-entered, we will need to be on top of our game," Zizzo said. "As long as we go out there and do what we know how to do we should be fine.

"We ran very well in Vegas last year. We have data and we should be able to come out of the box swinging."

Zizzo faced current class points leader Antron Brown in the first round of eliminations here last year. Despite racing the 1,000-foot track faster and quicker than the Don Schumacher Racing driver, Brown was able to take the round win thanks to leaving the line slightly quicker, giving him a holeshot victory.

Being in Sin City also means some down time for the team as they are also attending the annual AAPEX and SEMA automotive shows, also held in Las Vegas, following the finals on Sunday. Zizzo is even bringing his golf clubs so he can swing the wrenches with one of the team's marketing partners.

"We are looking forward to the warm weather and the sun shine," Zizzo said, as the temps in the Midwest have been steadily falling as winter and the offseason approach.

"I did bring my golf clubs and I hope to play a round on Monday afternoon with Kit DeAndre, a golf professional at Liberty Lakes Golf Course in Liberty Lakes, Washington. Why don’t I bring my clubs to every track? I never get a chance to play at home so I might as well play on the road."

The Big O Tires NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway runs Oct. 27-30. For ticket information, click HERE. The first nitro session is scheduled to kick off Friday at 1 p.m. local time with Q2 expected to start at 4 p.m. The second round of quals for nitro are Saturday at 11:45 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Eliminations start at 11 a.m. Sunday.

Meet TJ Zizzo: TJ and the rest of the stars of the NHRA Full Throttle Series will appear at the annual FanFest at 5 p.m. local time tonight on 3rd Street. The event is free to the public.

Get Zizzo Stuff: Want some great race-used items from an NHRA Full Throttle Series Top Fuel team? Have a friend or relative who’s impossible to shop for? Look no more! Head over to the Zizzo Racing page on eBay by clicking HERE!

Fans of TJ Zizzo and Zizzo Racing can find updates and photos of the PEAK Motor Oil/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: Matt Blager
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.