CHICAGO - When the Torco Racing Fuels Route 66 NHRA Nationals comes to town (June 5-8) Zizzo Racing will make a 300 MPH stroll down a piece of Americana known as Route 66, bringing new primary sponsor, 426 Brand and long-time associate sponsor, HTP America for the race.

"Route 66 brings back some memories," T.J. Zizzo, chuckles. "When we raced here in 2005, we blew up everything we owned trying to qualify. It was the greatest learning experience. We won't blow everything up this time. Hopefully we've learned a little since then."

The Lincolnshire, Ill. based team considers Route 66 Raceway it's home track and it provides unique opportunities for sponsors like HTP America and 426 Brand.

Fabricators, racers, auto body experts, muffler shops, farmers and do-it-yourselfers choose HTP welders and plasma cutters for one reason – quality. Jeff Noland of HTP is excited about teaming with Zizzo for this race. "We like to reach out to guys who work on their cars," he said. "Whether it's grass roots or the grudge racer, these guys know if it's good enough for T.J.'s Top Fuel car, it will get the job down in their garage."

The 426 Brand brings its distinct Chicago style, using hot rods, hair metal and pin-up girls to inspire the designs of their snug-fitting Ts, tanks and thermals. With its home being a 1950s decked-out loft in Chicago’s Meat Packing District, 426 Brand prides itself in Midwest values, but distinguishes itself with cutting-edge gear for scenesters in Los Angeles, New York and everywhere in between. All 426 Brand clothing is manufactured in Chicago.

Robbie Vasquez of 426 Brand thinks Zizzo's style fits nicely with his clientele. "We like T.J.'s style," Vasquez said. "I think we're very similar in the way we go about things. We're looking forward to being apart of his team in Chicago and I hope we get to do more in the future."

To learn more about 426 Brand visit: http://426brand.com
To learn more about HTP America visit: http://htpweld.com/

LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill.  - Long-time team member Mike Kern will replace Dave Settles as crew chief at Zizzo Racing and will make the tuning calls on the teams PEAK/HERCULINER Top Fuel Dragster. Kern began his tuning duties last week at the Motor City Nationals in Milan, Michigan. Tony Zizzo, team owner, made the announcement to the team earlier this year and confirmed it on arrival for the IHRA event.
 
"Mike Kern has been our Car Chief for the last two season," Tony said. "He'll be the acting crew chief for us in 2008. Mike has done a great job working with us since he came to Zizzo Racing. He learned a lot working with past crew chiefs Dave Settles - and John Harris before that. Mike studies everything, he's a very technical guy. He pays attention to detail and learns a lot. Our entire team works very closely to get this car down the track. Mike will do a great job. He is the guy for our future at Zizzo Racing."

LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill.  - In an announcement today, Zizzo Racing released its 2008 racing schedule and confirmed that PEAK Antifreeze and HERCULINER would again be the primary sponsor on the teams Top Fuel entry. The six-race schedule includes two stops in Michigan at the famed drag strips of Milan and Martin on the IHRA racing circuit, Indianapolis and Memphis on the NHRA racing circuit, and two additional match races in Cordova, IL and Cedar Falls, IA.
 
The PEAK Antifreeze/HERCULINER Top Fuel Dragster will part of a national promotion with O'Reilly Auto Parts Stores and will be featured in special point of purchase promotions throughout the year.  "We are looking forward to the 2008 season with Zizzo Racing," said Brian Bohlander, Brand Manager of HERCULINER. "This team made an incredible run at a World Championship last season.  We're very excited to continue our relationship with T.J., Zizzo Racing, and O'Reilly Auto Parts."

ROCKINGHAM, N.C.  - In the team's first full season of chasing points for a championship, Zizzo Racing and the PEAK Antifreeze / O'Reilly Auto Parts Top Fuel Dragster made a valiant effort. The season long, back and forth battle with veteran racer Bruce Litton didn't end until the first round of eliminations during the IHRA World Finals when Zizzo smoked the tires at the hit of the throttle. Zizzo would finish in the second spot, just 41 points behind Litton.

"We fell a touch short, but just a little bit," an emotional Zizzo said shortly after the loss. "Hats off to Bruce. His team has done well."

"The car is in the box and all four tires are on it, so that's good," Zizzo continued. "There are a lot of good competitors out here that would like to be in our position. So, it's been a successful year."