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Temps in the 100s, Zizzo’s in the .90s at Indy


Drag Racing
Topics:  TJ Zizzo, Mac Tools U.S. Nationals

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
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

Temps in the 100s, Zizzo’s in the .90s at Indy

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.

-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.




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