Zizzo Racing patriarch makes summer appearances

LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill. -- Tony Zizzo, father of NHRA Top Fuel Driver T.J. Zizzo and patriarch of the Zizzo Racing Team will make several appearances this summer. Not as team owner - but as driver.

Zizzo, Sr. brought his passion for drag racing to his family when he piloted his Top Alcohol Dragster, the same dragster that T.J. began his racing career with at the age of 16. "I've always enjoyed driving in Top Alcohol Dragster," Tony said. "I talked to the crew and we decided to bring me and the dragster out of retirement." Zizzo, Sr. will race his dragster at 'da Grove' - Great Lakes Dragway in Union Grove, WI.

Tony's dragster appearances will be a warm up for his runs at the world-famous Bonneville Salt Flats. Zizzo, Sr. will join friend and former team member Ted Gledhill when he takes the wheel of Gledhill's 300 mph AA Lakester for licensing passes. Tony is scheduled to be in Bonneville the second week of August.

"I'm pretty excited about driving on the Bonneville Salt Flats," Zizzo, Sr. said. "Plus, when you're in the neighborhood, you have to take the Harley on a trip to Sturgis."

Summer 2009 also looks like it will be the summer that has been 15 years in the making. After several test laps took their toll's on neighboring mailboxes, Tony will debut his street car at the race track - a blown and injected alcohol Willy's. "We've had a lot of fun putting this car together," Zizzo, Sr. said. "I can't wait to see what it will do on the drag strip. Mailboxes may be safe on our street again."