Temps in the 100s, Zizzo’s in the .90s at Indy |
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Topics: TJ Zizzo, Mac Tools U.S. Nationals Team: Owner: Tony Zizzo Crew Chief: Mike Kern Clutch Specialist: Tony Smith Utilities/Tires: Mike Adams Public Relations: 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
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Brandon W. Mudd
Zizzo Racing
September 3, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT:
Brandon W. Mudd
BWMudd@ZizzoRacing.com
636-219-9676
CLERMONT, Ind. – After running what he called “license runs” in the first two rounds of qualifying here, TJ Zizzo and the PEAK Motor Oil/Herculiner NHRA Full Throttle Series Top Fuel team took advantage of falling temps Saturday evening, putting a 3.919 ET on the board at 301.27 mph. His first pass of the day, run on a 130+ degree track, was a 4.198 second lap, only slightly better than the 4.21 he ran Friday night on an equally greasy track.
“A much better run tonight,” Zizzo said after the third qualifying round of the 57th Mac Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals. “Those first two runs felt like licensing runs, but that last one, I drove my butt off. We knew he had to lay down a strong lap with the possibility of weather tomorrow and my team put a great PEAK Motor Oil/Herculiner dragster under me for that final run.”
The run was the fifth-quickest of the round, behind Del Worsham (3.876), Spencer Massey (3.875), Tony Schumacher (3.856), and Antron Brown’s 3.818 that put him at the top of the qualifying ladder going into Sunday’s final qualifying rounds.
The Chicago native is solidly in the top-12 in ninth while some of the biggest names in the sport, including Doug Kalitta who Zizzo beat on a holeshot in Rd. 1 of eliminations last year. Zizzo knows, however, to get to Monday the team has to get through Sunday. “Nothing’s guaranteed yet,” he said. “We made a good pass, but with the conditions we’re expecting tomorrow, that .91 may not be as good as it is right now.
“We still have two more rounds to go. If we’re still in the top-12 tomorrow at this time, I’ll be happy. Until then, nothing’s guaranteed.”
Qualifying resumes Sunday at Noon. Eliminations are scheduled for Monday at 11 a.m. For more information on the event or for tickets, visit NHRA.com.
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.