ROCKINGHAM, NC  -- T.J. Zizzo, driver of the PEAK/HERCULINER/O'Reilly Top Fuel Dragster calls it the 'super bonus race'. After competing in Richmond, VA at the NHRA event, the team transporter will travel 250 miles south to Rockingham, NC for the IHRA World Finals contested this weekend.
 
"The truck was in the neighborhood," Zizzo chuckled. "After a Sunday team meeting we all decided to continue our testing for 2009."
 
"We're like a bunch of bears who don't want to go into hibernation. We know winter is PEAK Antifreeze season and with winter coming we wanted to race as much as possible to start 2009 off right."
 
"We're excited about being here," he continued. "I expect it to be a tough race and one that we'll have to make some adjustments to be competitive."

LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill.  -- T.J. Zizzo went to battle at the NHRA Virginia Nationals with the PEAK/HERCULINER/O'Reilly Top Fuel Dragster. After qualifying, Zizzo had a first round match up with the number two contender for the NHRA "Countdown to the Championship," Hillary Will.
 
This would be the first time that Zizzo and Will matched up on Sunday in a final elimination battle. Zizzo matched Will step for step to half track until a broken blower belt ended the day for the Zizzo team.
 
"The car left the line well," Zizzo explained. "It moved nicely through the shake zone and we were still side by side with her.  I was feeling pretty good about the run, but as soon as that clutch started tugging on the blower belt, it just spit out and our race was over."