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Zizzo, Youngblood Honor Wally Parks at World Finals

Topics: Auto Club NHRA World Finals, Wally Parks

Zizzo, Youngblood Honor Wally Parks at World Finals

Brandon Mudd
High Side Media
Zizzo Racing
November 10, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

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

Zizzo, Youngblood Honor Wally Parks at World Finals

Pomona, Calif. – For the entirety of the 2011 NHRA Full Throttle Series season, Chicago native and Top Fuel pilot TJ Zizzo has partnered with legendary drag racing artist Kenny Youngblood to celebrate the latter’s 45^th year in the sport. For this weekend’s Auto Club NHRA World Finals, the pair are honoring the man whose vision 60 years ago became a national phenomenon and the fastest sport in the world: Wally Parks.

“It’s the most fitting tribute we could come up with,” said Zizzo, a second-generation driver who races for his father, Tony. “It’s the epitome of both Kenny’s talent and the man who made it all possible.”

“It’s been an incredible and fun year for me working with the Zizzos,” Youngblood said. “They are a hardcore group of racers and the family I never had.”

Zizzo is looking for another strong outing this weekend in California. Once again, temperatures and weather conditions are expected to make the track fast for the field of 27 rails. “Pomona has been good to us,” Zizzo said, while helping the crew prepare the car for the first round of nitro qualifying scheduled for Thursday at 1 p.m. local time. “It’s going to be tough with such a big field, but I’m confident in my team and in my car. We’re looking forward to a big weekend.”

TJ in the Media: Zizzo appeared on The Auto Show with Greg Damon on KMOX in St. Louis last weekend to discuss drag racing, among some other interesting topics. For the full interview, click HERE.

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!

Zizzo Racing is entered in the Auto Club NHRA World Finals this weekend in Pomona. Round 1 of qualifying kicks off Thursday at 1 p.m. The second round of quals are Friday, also at 1. Saturday will see the final two rounds, expected for 11:45 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Sunday’s pre-race ceremonies begin at 9:45 a.m. with first round of eliminations running at 11. For tickets, click 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.