Zizzo Racing Sees Improvement Friday at Pomona |
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Topics: TJ Zizzo, Auto Club NHRA Nationals
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Brandon W. Mudd
Zizzo Racing
November 12, 2010
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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 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT:
Brandon W. Mudd
BWMudd@ZizzoRacing.com
636-219-9676
POMONA, Calif. – Although the PEAK/Herculiner Top Fuel dragster fell one spot to ninth after the second round of qualifying at the Auto Club NHRA Finals here Friday, TJ Zizzo and his NHRA Full Throttle Series team improved their on-track performance tremendously, running a 3.918 ET at 310.77 mph with Cory MacClanathan of Don Schumacher Racing in the next lane. A total of 26 rails are entered in this weekend’s event.
“Another great day at the office,” Zizzo said after the run. “I don’t think it gets much better than that. Went down the race track nice and smooth and at the finish line, it moved to the right pretty hard, but it was all good.”
Although the event continues to see race stoppages due to oildowns in the two nitro classes, Zizzo Racing is excited to be at the 2010 season finale and recognizes the history that is being made and has been made at Auto Club Raceway.
“How neat is it?” Zizzo said, smiling. “The end of the season and we’re in Pomona. It’s a wonderful, historic place with the mountains in the background and a huge crowd here with a lot of enthusiasm. I usually watch this race from home on ESPN, but now I get to be here to live it and enjoy it. It doesn’t get much better than that, like I said.”
Larry Dixon held on to his place atop the provisional standings with an ET of 3.813 seconds run on Thursday. Tony Schumacher, looking to overcome incredible odds to earn his seventh-straight Top Fuel title and his eighth overall, holds on to the second spot.
Chicago is well represented this weekend at the track with both Zizzo Racing and Schumacher hailing from the Windy City area. In addition, Chris Karamesines, who celebrated his 82nd birthday this week and is also a Chi-Town native, is currently qualified 15th.
Fans of TJ Zizzo and Zizzo Racing can find updates and photos of the PEAK/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.
NHRA nitro class qualifying is scheduled to kick off Saturday starting at Noon local time for Top Fuel and Funny Cars. Eliminations will begin Sunday at 11 a.m. local time.
Coverage of the 46th Annual Auto Club NHRA Finals is being carried by ESPN and ESPN2. Qualifying will air Sunday at 12:30 a.m. CDT on ESPN2 with eliminations airing on ESPN at 11 p.m. CDT. Eliminations will also be carried live online at ESPN3.com. For information about the event or to purchase tickets, visit NHRA.com or call 800-884-NHRA (6472).
About Zizzo Racing:
This year marks Zizzo Racing's 30th year in drag racing. Based in Lincolnshire, Ill. and owned by Tony Zizzo, started racing in 1980 in the Top Alcohol Dragster class, moving to nitro 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.