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Zizzo Qualifies 9th at E-Town, Faces Langdon in E1

Topics: Toyota NHRA Summernationals

Zizzo Qualifies 9th at E-Town, Faces Langdon in E1

Brandon Mudd
High Side Media
Zizzo Racing
June 1, 2013

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT:
Brandon W. Mudd
PR@HighSideMedia.com

ENGLISHTOWN, NJ – On a blazing hot weekend here at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, it was the one qualifying session under the lights on a cooler track that provided TJ Zizzo and his PEAK Motor Oil Top Fuel team with the 3.871-second ET, enabling them to make the show for Sunday’s 44th Annual Toyota NHRA Summernationals.

During the first round of qualifying on Friday, Zizzo was unable to make a pass due to an injector issue, but during the second round under the lights, the PEAK team ran their quickest lap of the weekend. Thanks to that run on Friday, they were able to use Saturday as a test session for Sunday. The first pass of the day was a 3.934-second run, with the final session of the weekend resulting in tire shake.

“So far, so good. I can’t complain about too much,” Zizzo said in the team’s pit after qualifying. “We would have liked to have gotten down the track on that last pass, but you also have to try things. We were in a great position this weekend to be able to qualify on a Friday and use today as a playground. That worked out nice so we’re looking forward to tomorrow.”

After missing three consecutive races starting with the season-ending World Finals in Pomona last year, Zizzo understands that making the field of 16 is guaranteed to no one.

“I used to take Sundays for granted and I don’t anymore. There are a lot of good cars out there. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – all of us out here deserve to qualify because there are some great competitors out here. To be able to take the stage for driver intros during the pre-race ceremonies is cool and it’s awesome and I look forward to it.”

The PEAK team faces eighth-place qualifier Shawn Langdon and the Al Anabi Silver team who ran a 3.870 at 318.39 mph to make the show on Sunday.

“I’m looking back at our history with Alan Johnson and the Al Anabi guys and maybe it’s finally our time to beat them in the first round.”

In addition to qualifying, Zizzo and the team had other issues on their mind as tornadoes once again ripped through Oklahoma last night. “We’ve raced in Tulsa, my buddy Kyle Keck lives in Broken Arrow. Fortunately, he and his family are all good but our thoughts are with the families of those who weren’t so lucky.”

Clay Millican earned top qualifier honors for the first time in his NHRA Mello Yello Series Top Fuel career Saturday after laying down a lap Friday night of 3.792 seconds. Millican faces Brandon Bernstein Sunday, who is stepping out of his dragster after Sunday to have back surgery. The first round of eliminations is set to kick off at 11 a.m. local time Sunday.

-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.