The Crittenden Automotive Library

Q1 a Learning Day for Zizzo Racing at Pomona

Topics: Auto Club NHRA World Finals

Q1 a Learning Day for Zizzo Racing at Pomona

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

Q1 a Learning Day for Zizzo Racing at Pomona

Pomona, Calif. – Looking to take advantage of overcast skies and cool track temps, TJ Zizzo and Zizzo Racing went for it during Thursday’s Rd. 1 of NHRA Full Throttle Series qualifying at the Auto Club NHRA World Finals here. Two weeks ago in Las Vegas, the gambit paid off with the Chicago-based Top Fuel team as they earned the No. 2 overall spot when Q1 ended.

The tuneup at Auto Club Raceway was just a bit too aggressive, causing the PEAK Motor Oil/Herculiner dragster to smoke the Goodyears almost immediately, resulting in a 9.896 second ET. Since it was the only qualifying run of the day, the team can take extra time to prepare the car for Friday’s second round and earn a spot in Sunday’s eliminations.

“We were trying to go after it and spun the tires,” Zizzo said. “We’ve got three more runs to get the setup correct. The blower was better but just a little over turned. Tomorrow’s another day.”

Also not in the show after Rd. 1 are heavy hitters Shawn Langdon and Antron Brown, racing for his first-ever NHRA Full Throttle Series title. Seven-time class champion and fellow Chicago native Tony Schumacher finished the day on the provisional pole with a 3.827 second ET. Schumacher is winless this season with this weekend representing his last chance to take home a 60^th Anniversary pewter Wally.

Zizzo Racing is racing in the Auto Club NHRA World Finals this weekend at Auto Club Raceway. The second round of quals are Friday at 1 p.m. 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.

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!

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.