Zizzo Racing

Zizzo Racing tag:zizzoracing.com,2007-09-20://1 2010-08-31T19:17:56Z Zizzo Racing - Home to TJ Zizzo and his Top Fuel Racing Team Movable Type Pro 4.31-en Popular, Part-Time NHRA Driver TJ Zizzo is jacked about "The Big Go" tag:zizzoracing.com,2010://1.452 2010-08-31T19:09:46Z 2010-08-31T19:17:56Z

Zizzo P.R. http://squeakywheelonline.com

Lincolnshire, Ill. - Zizzo Racing has been hard at work during their time off between their last race weekend in June, which produced the fastest run to date for the team, and this weekend's upcoming MAC Tools U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, Ind.

"We have more parts and pieces than ever before," TJ Zizzo said. "The team has not stopped

working all summer long building up our inventory for our next four races. We have almost

everything finished one week ahead of schedule and have had this last week to tie up loose

ends."

Indianapolis is the start of the Count Down to the Championship and will host more cars than any other event this year. "Everyone comes out of the woodwork for "The Big Go," Zizzo said. "We expect to be competitive and give the guys at the top of the points race something to think about as we approach Pomona."

]]> The U.S. Nationals is a big event, but this year it will be even bigger for Zizzo Racing. PEAK

Performance Products and HERCULINER Truck Bed Liners will be entertaining 20 guests,

including O'Reilly Auto Parts Team Members, pit side for an up close and personal experience with the race team.

"What better way to show our gratitude to our retail partner, O'Reilly Auto Parts, than to bring out supporters of our brands at the store level," said Brian Bohlander, Motorsports Marketing Manager for PEAK Performance Products. "Our O'Reilly guests will get a chance to go through the pits, talk to the team, watch the team work in between runs, kick back and relax, and most importantly watch some drag racing!"

"As "Iron" Mike Ditka told me at a speaking engagement over the summer, you have a great

marketing partner with PEAK" Zizzo said. "He remembered in the 1980's when he was a

spokesperson for PEAK, and how well he was treated by them. I am proud to be part of their

family for seven years now and I will continue to represent all of our marketing partners with

dignity," Zizzo said.

Keep up with TJ in the mean time on facebook at www.facebook.com/tjzizzo or on twitter at

www.twitter.com/tjzizzo. Follow the team's activities as well on youtube at www.youtube.com/tjzizzo.

]]> EXPO® KICKS OFF SCHOOL YEAR AT 2010 MAC TOOLS U.S. NATIONALS tag:zizzoracing.com,2010://1.451 2010-08-28T14:53:59Z 2010-08-28T15:10:11Z

Expo Dry Erase Markers and Driver TJ Zizzo Team Up to Support Kids in Need Foundation and Teachers Treasures CharitiesINDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (August 28, 2010) - As the school year gets off to a speedy start, so do Top Fuel Dragsters...

Zizzo P.R. http://squeakywheelonline.com Expo Dry Erase Markers and Driver TJ Zizzo Team Up to Support Kids in Need Foundation and Teachers Treasures Charities

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (August 28, 2010) - As the school year gets off to a speedy start, so do Top Fuel Dragsters at the biggest race of the year, the MAC Tools U.S. Nationals. Expo® Dry Erase Markers is taking to the track as an associate sponsor of driver TJ Zizzo, who with Expo's backing, is racing to support the Kids in Need Foundation, a national, non-profit organization dedicated to providing free school supplies to economically disadvantaged school children and under-funded teachers.

This Labor Day weekend, Expo Dry Erase Markers will donate 1000 feet of markers (the length of every race) for every round won by Zizzo, including qualifying rounds, to Teachers Treasure, a local Kids in Need Foundation affiliate.

]]>

"With a possible nine rounds to win, I hope to donate 22,000 markers" said Zizzo. "It's nice to be able to give back to teachers who spend a lot of money out of their own pocket each year on school supplies."

Expo will have an area located at the Zizzo pit area where he will sign autographs for fans. Additionally, in between races, a side panel of Zizzo's dragster will be removed for guests to sign and draw on with Expo Dry Erase markers. Fans may even get to see their name on the racetrack and on ESPN 2 as the car thunders by. After every pass, an Expo marker eraser will be used to clean the panel, allowing more kids to sign.

"It's going to be a busy weekend and I can't wait to represent Expo, Kids In Need and Teachers Treasures at the biggest race of the year" said Zizzo.

The Mac Tools US Nationals takes place over Labor Day weekend, Sept. 3-6, in Indianapolis.

About the Kids In Need Foundation

The Kids In Need Foundation is a national 501(c)(3) charitable organization founded in 1995. The Foundation's mission is to ensure that every child is prepared to learn and succeed by providing free school supplies nationally to students most in need. The Kids in Need National Network of Resource Centers includes 23 facilities that allow teachers from low-income schools to obtain free school supplies for their students. In addition, Kids In Need Teacher Grants provide K-12 educators with funding to provide innovative learning opportunities for students. The Kids in Need Foundation has distributed nearly $300 million in school supplies since its founding, directly benefiting 1.6 million students and 100,000 teachers annually, and has awarded $1 million in grants to teachers. The Kids In Need Foundation has received Charity Navigator's highest four-star rating, indicating that it executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way and outperforms most other charities in America. For more information, visit www.kinf.org. Follow Kids In Need on Twitter, http://twitter.com/kidsinneed

ABOUT EXPO®

EXPO® is a leader in dry erase markers, accessories and dry erase boards. Newell Rubbermaid's Office Products Group, maker of EXPO® markers, is a worldwide leader in the manufacturing and marketing of writing instruments, art products and office organization and technology tools, including such well known brands as Paper Mate®, Sharpie®, DYMO® Parker®, Waterman®, EXPO®, uni-ball®, and Rolodex®, among others. Visit www.expomarkers.com for more information.

]]> Zizzo Runs Personal Best, but Mechanical Issue Causes Problems in Eliminations tag:zizzoracing.com,2010://1.450 2010-06-09T15:52:27Z 2010-06-09T15:55:22Z

Zizzo P.R. http://squeakywheelonline.com

JOLIET, Ill. - After rain, rain, and more rain on Friday, TJ Zizzo started his weekend off with a personal best run of 3.874 at 311.27 mph, which was good enough for a number five qualifying spot after day one.

"We were super pumped about our pass on Friday," Zizzo said. "Carrying over what we did in Atlanta to our first run in Joliet was a boost to the team, because with time off between races you always worry about picking up where you left off. To run a personal best on the opening day of qualifying at our home town track was a great feeling, especially when you can receive a standing ovation after the run from rain soaked die hard fans."

]]> Round two of qualifying saw a match up of neighbors when Zizzo met Tony Schumacher in the days first run for TJ. Zizzo lost traction early in the run, while Schumacher began to haze the tires around the half way point. "It's always fun to meet Tony out on the track since we live so close together," TJ said.

Sunday brought a day of sunshine, a light breeze and Zizzo in the 9th qualifying position matched up against Antron Brown. Unfortunately, by the time the tree went green, a mechanical malfunction in the clutch cost him the race. "We are learning new things all of the time," TJ said. "We've been building speed each time we go out and run and with that you push different parts to the limit and you discover new obstacles to overcome, we know we can run fast and compete."

"Even though we are disappointed with the way things ended up in eliminations, it was a good weekend to get to spend time with the fans," Zizzo said.

TJ and the PEAK, HERCULINER, O'Reilly Dragster will rejoin the NHRA Drag Racing Series when they return to O'Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis, IN for the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, September 1st through the 6th.

Keep up with TJ in the mean time on facebook at www.facebook.com/tjzizzo or on twitter at www.twitter.com/tjzizzo. Follow the team's activities as well on youtube at www.youtube.com/tjzizzo.

]]> Zizzo Racing and PEAK Looking Forward to a Home Town Event tag:zizzoracing.com,2010://1.449 2010-06-02T06:52:22Z 2010-06-02T07:01:24Z

Zizzo P.R. http://squeakywheelonline.com

LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill - Fresh off a good showing in Atlanta, Zizzo Racing continues to prepare this week for a home town event at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill. "This is a home town race for Zizzo Racing and PEAK Performance Products so the pressure is on," TJ Zizzo said. "There will be a lot of support from family and friends at the track and we look forward to having the entire PEAK Entourage in our pits this weekend."

One of those family members at the track this weekend will be experiencing her first NHRA National event. TJ's daughter Madeline could potentially be the third generation of Zizzo's to drive a dragster. "She has three years to go, but I assume she will have a pink junior dragster waiting for her when she turns eight," Zizzo said. "She already subscribes to Jr. Dragster and after this weekend if she's anything like her grandfather or dad, she'll be totally addicted."

]]> Brian Bohlander, Motorsports Manager for PEAK Performance Products, is excited for this weekend as well. "TJ and the guys have been working hard on the PEAK Dragster and at Atlanta we saw that hard work starting to pay off with a first round win in eliminations. As with any race, the pressure is on this weekend. The team is confident and they'll do PEAK proud as they always do."

Speaking of team work, this has been a focal point over the last week for Zizzo racing. During last week's team meeting, Zizzo handed out an article about "The Power of Teamwork" and asked the team to complete an honest survey of how they think they are doing. "When you are flying down a dragstrip at 300+ mph, you've got to trust your team," Zizzo said. "We have worked well together, but there is always room for improvement and that is why sometimes you've got to take a step back and be honest with yourselves so that you can continue to grow."

Team morale has never been higher. Rick Messmore, a five year veteran of Zizzo Racing is excited about Joliet. "I like to view the race weekend as a "Fantasy Land". The fantasy timer starts when I pull the RV out of the driveway and does not stop until it re-enters the driveway", Messmore said. "When racing at your home track, you really feel the pressure to do well."

]]> Zizzo Makes the Most at Second Appearance of Season tag:zizzoracing.com,2010://1.447 2010-05-19T19:12:50Z 2010-05-19T19:21:30Z

Zizzo P.R. http://squeakywheelonline.com

ATLANTA -- In just their second NHRA appearance of the season, Zizzo Racing took their PEAK/HERCULINER Top Fuel Dragster to their best performance in the team's seven year Top Fuel career.

After consistent improvements during qualifying sessions on Friday and Saturday, TJ Zizzo and his team maintained their solid position and qualified in the ninth spot for Sunday eliminations at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals.

]]> "The term for the weekend was 'stay hydrated'," Zizzo said of the hot and humid conditions. "With track temperatures in the 120s and Mike Kern turning the knobs, the car was as consistent as any car we ever have had."

The consistency of the car was a dividend the Zizzo Racing team received because of a few procedural changes in how the team responsibilities would be handled.

"Chris Schneider did a great job removing and installing the clutch assembly," Zizzo said. "It gave us a chance to utilize the talents of Tony Smith, a 19 year team member. The additional time he had to help setup our car proved to be very beneficial the last two races."

Those small changes showed immediate benefit for Zizzo when his team brought their career best ever qualifying effort into a round one match up with veteran Bob Vandergriff. Zizzo would take a slight starting line advantage and add a performance advantage to take the win - pedaling his way to a career best 3.903 @ 310.91mph.

"It wasn't much of a pedal job," Zizzo admitted after the run. "It just quivered a little bit and I slapped the pedal one time."

The PEAK/HERCULINER team put up another impressive effort in their round two match up with eventual race winner Larry Dixon. The Zizzo team would post the third fastest elapsed time of round two with a solid 3.946 @ 306.33 mph although Zizzo's hopes for an upset would fall short.

"I looked over at 600 feet and I was just waiting for Dixon to smoke the tires," Zizzo said. "Once he past the transition of concrete to asphalt, I knew it would be tough to catch him." "We can take our loss a little easier when you lose to the best hot rod in the country right now," Zizzo said.

"We gave them their best competition of the eliminations rounds. We did our best to keep them honest and that will be our consolation until the next race."

As always, Zizzo had time between runs to spend time with the fans. "I got a chance as I always do to spend valuable time with fans. I love putting a smile on the parents face. Having kids of my own, I know when your kids are happy you are happy."

The next stop for the PEAK/HERCULINER Top Fuel team will be June 3-6 for the United Association Route 66 NHRA Nationals at the Route 66 Raceway.

]]> Zizzo adds to list of firsts in Atlanta tag:zizzoracing.com,2010://1.446 2010-05-12T18:30:38Z 2010-05-12T18:37:49Z

Zizzo P.R. http://squeakywheelonline.com

ATLANTA - T.J Zizzo and the Zizzo Racing, PEAK/HERCULINER Top Fuel Dragster will make their first appearance at the Atlanta Dragway for this weekend's NHRA Southern Nationals.

"It's our first time ever to this track," Zizzo said. "Hopefully this track can produce some luck for us." Zizzo, like every driver, hopes for a little, but since Lady Luck can be a fickle mistress, his team is making sure the car is ready. "Mike Kern and Tony Smith have been working closely together to get us a more consistent race car," Zizzo added. "We'll take what we learned at the Houston race and try to apply it here in Atlanta."

While hard luck and good work always play a part in drag racing, Zizzo knows just having the opportunity to race is half the battle. "I have a better chance of winning the event when I am there, than when I'm sitting on my couch watching it on ESPN2," Zizzo said. "We're just really happy to be racing in Atlanta."

]]> Adding to his list of firsts, Zizzo joined the social networking platforms of Facebook and Twitter this week. "Watch out world," Zizzo laughed when asked about what he planned to do with his new found social skills. "I'm always texting and emailing friends and marketing partners at the race. So, this is just a better tool to communicate with more of our friends and fans. I'm really excited about it." To follow or friend T.J. visit, http://www.facebook.com/tjzizzo or http://www.twitter.com/tjzizzo.

Not to be outdone, team owner Tony Zizzo added a first to his list when he took his wild 1940 (alcohol, blown street rod) Willys to Union Grove, Wis. last weekend for its inaugural run down the quarter mile. While the event was rained out, T.J. was glad to help Tony at the track. "It was an off weekend for us and we're at the drag strip - and that was cool," T.J. said. "My dad loves to take this car up to McDonald's to get milk shakes for all of our team members. I'm used to watching him terrorize the neighborhood and taking out mailboxes, so it was nice to see it at least near a drag strip."

Two rounds of professional qualifying for the 30th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals take place Friday, May 14 and continue with an additional two rounds of qualifying on Saturday. Final eliminations begin Sunday at 11:00AM.

ESPN2 will broadcast same-day coverage of Atlanta qualifying on Saturday, May 15 at 8:00 PM ET. Eliminations will be broadcast starting at 7:00 PM ET on Sunday.

For more information visit NHRA.com.

]]> Houston marks good start to Zizzo's season tag:zizzoracing.com,2010://1.445 2010-04-14T15:11:28Z 2010-04-14T15:16:59Z

Zizzo P.R. http://squeakywheelonline.com

BAYTOWN, Texas -- T.J. Zizzo and the PEAK/HERCULINER Top Fuel team made the most of their 2010 debut at the O'Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals this past weekend. The team qualified 12th, improving their position during Saturday's sessions.

"We were happy to be back on the racetrack again," Zizzo said. "It was great meeting new fans and reintroducing myself to the media."

Mike Kern, crew chief of the Illinois based team was also happy with the team's first outing. "After a six month layoff we pulled out of the trailer with a number five qualifying position," Kern said. "After the nitro settled we ended up 12th."

]]> Zizzo would face NHRA points leader Cory McClenathan in round one of eliminations on Sunday. While Zizzo's reaction time would match the efforts of his opponent, McClenathan's car would pull away for the win.

"Overall it was a productive weekend," Zizzo said. "For our first weekend out it was like a test session. We still need to figure out what the car wants. The team assembled the car well and they worked well together. I may not have been the fastest car on the track last weekend, but with PEAK and HERCULINER standing behind us I'm confident it will allow us to improve in the future."

]]> Bench racing is over - Zizzo returns from Spain ready for Houston tag:zizzoracing.com,2010://1.444 2010-04-06T22:08:21Z 2010-04-06T22:10:40Z

Zizzo P.R. http://squeakywheelonline.com

BAYTOWN, Texas - If competition in NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing isn't fierce enough on the track, you can always follow the competition away from the track as well. "I was hoping to have lost more weight than Cory Mac (McClenathan)," Zizzo laughed. "I ran into him at an event this winter and he looked lean. I had lost 12 lbs. until I ate all of those Tapas in Spain. So, now my dad will have to squeeze me in the car with a shoehorn."

Fresh from a trip to Barcelona Spain to make good on a 15-year-old promise to his wife, T.J. Zizzo had time to reflect on the task of competing at this weekend's O'Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Spring Nationals at Houston Raceway Park. During a long winter of "bench racing", teams, crew chiefs and drivers spend endless hours toiling and tuning their dragsters to new world records - or at least new personal bests. The PEAK / HERCULINER Top Fuel team from Zizzo Racing is no different.

"We just dug the transporter out of a snow bank three weeks ago," Zizzo said. "Now, I return from Spain and it's 80 degrees in 'Chitown'. That is crazy. We did a lot of bench racing over the winter. According to our bench racing numbers, we're going to run 3.86 at 315 mph on our first pass in Houston... I love bench racing!"

Zizzo spent his winter managing the family auto body business and updating the racing equipment with the team, and he's confident they're ready.

]]> "I know we'll need a few runs to get up to speed. There is never enough time, but we are as ready as we have ever been. I will need to dust the cob webs off my driving suit and get the paint fumes out of my head from painting cars 12 hours a day. That first pass might be a little bit of shock to my system."

"I want to gain exposure off the track, but like any young hopeful driver I want to do well on the track too," he said. "I can't wait to stand at the ropes, talk to the fans and spend time with the media. I want them to be able to appreciate all of T.J.," Zizzo joked. "My wife, friends and team should not be the only people subjected to that. Without fans and media, there would not be a drag race in Houston."

Professional qualifying for the race begins Friday April 9 and continues on Saturday. Eliminations begin Sunday. ESPN2 HD will have same day coverage of qualifying on Saturday (11PM ET) and Sunday (8PM ET).

For more information visit nhra.com

]]> PEAK rejoins Zizzo Racing's Top Fuel dragster as major marketing partner tag:zizzoracing.com,2010://1.443 2010-03-31T16:59:01Z 2010-03-31T17:14:18Z

Zizzo P.R. http://squeakywheelonline.com

LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill. - Zizzo Racing announced today that Old World Industries' will rejoin and expand its roll as the major marketing partner with its PEAK and HERCULINER brands on the team's NHRA Top Fuel dragster driven by T.J. Zizzo. The two year, 14 race deal begins this season and marks the beginning of Zizzo Racing's 31st year in drag racing.

"We're excited about the opportunity to continue representing PEAK and HERCULINER for the seventh consecutive season," Zizzo said. "We enjoy providing value for them in our NHRA program and the retail programs PEAK does with O'Reilly Auto Parts. "My off-season was busy," states Zizzo. "It started with an appearance for PEAK at the AAPEX/SEMA show in November and continued throughout the winter with great appearances at customer events and at World of Wheels shows. These events are exciting for us as we become a bigger part of PEAK's marketing efforts going forward."

"2010 is starting off to be an exciting year. TJ is a great brand ambassador for PEAK Performance Products and his accessibility to the fans is quickly making him a favorite at his stops on the tour. We're excited to continue our involvement with Zizzo Racing for the next two years and having the expanded schedule will allow us both to achieve bigger goals with this program," states PEAK's Motorsports Marketing Manager Brian Bohlander.

]]> Zizzo's 2010 schedule includes early stops at Houston, Atlanta, and Chicago. Then the team will race throughout the PEAK Antifreeze Fall season with stops in Indianapolis, Charlotte, Las Vegas and Pomona.

"Our entire dedicated team will be coming back in 2010," Zizzo said. "This off-season, we've had more time to prepare, so we're all very excited to go racing."

"PEAK's multi-year commitment to our program has given our team a lot of incentive," Zizzo added. "It gives us a greater presences on the NHRA tour for the first time since our 2005 campaign. It allows us the opportunity to plan longer term which will pay dividends on our performance on and off the track."

Zizzo will join the NHRA tour April 9-11 at the 23rd annual O'Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals at Houston Raceway Park.

Photo courtesy of Mike Caplan & Caplan Studios

]]> T.J. Zizzo and Zizzo Racing dragster on display at O'Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels tag:zizzoracing.com,2010://1.442 2010-03-05T19:29:07Z 2010-03-05T19:31:44Z

CHICAGO -- Zizzo racing will display their PEAK / HERCULINER Top Fuel dragster this weekend at the O'Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels show held at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center March 5-7. Driver, T.J. Zizzo will sign autographs...

Zizzo P.R. http://squeakywheelonline.com

CHICAGO -- Zizzo racing will display their PEAK / HERCULINER Top Fuel dragster this weekend at the O'Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels show held at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center March 5-7. Driver, T.J. Zizzo will sign autographs in the O'Reilly display from 12PM-3PM then from 5PM-8PM on Saturday.

The auto show features all forms of vehicles, from classics, to street rods and the ultimate 8,000 horsepower machine, piloted by T.J. Zizzo.

"It's been an exciting winter," Zizzo said. "We've been having a lot of fun on our off season tour, doing displays for PEAK. The World of Wheels in Chicago will be extra special since it's so much like a hometown event for us. I know we'll see lots of friends, family and fans this weekend."

]]> The PEAK / HERCULINER Top Fuel dragster is capable of reaching speeds over 100mph in less than a second and speeds over 300mph in less than a 1000 feet. For more information about the O'Reilly World of Wheels visit: http://www.autorama.com/casi/show/chicago.php]]> Zizzo's big adventure at Fairhaven School tag:zizzoracing.com,2010://1.441 2010-03-03T21:55:33Z 2010-03-03T22:25:37Z

Zizzo P.R. http://squeakywheelonline.com

LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill. - T.J. Zizzo, driver of the PEAK/HERCULINER/O'Reilly Top Fuel Dragster participated in Celebrity Readers Day at Fairhaven School in Illinois. Zizzo read from his favorite childhood book "Little Turtle's Big Adventure".

"My mom used to read that book to me when I was a kid," Zizzo explained. "The book has been around. It's all taped up, I even read it to my kids."

]]> Tanya Fergus, principal at Fairhaven School appreciated Zizzo's appearance. "It was wonderful." she explained. "He read his favorite childhood story and then answered questions and signed autographs."

"I had a lot of fun," Zizzo added. "Kids ask the craziest questions. Since they knew I raced, the wanted to know if I was faster than a cheetah - or if I could run fast. It was fun for me to get away from my regular routine and make a little difference for those kids just for a day."

]]> Zizzo swaps stories with Ditka and Nowatzke tag:zizzoracing.com,2010://1.440 2010-02-02T21:38:14Z 2010-02-02T21:43:30Z

LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill.- If you haven't tuned in to one of the Access Hollywood type celebrity TV shows lately, now might be a good time to start. We're expecting a T.J. Zizzo sighting on the red carpet sometime soon.First it was...

Zizzo P.R. http://squeakywheelonline.com

LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill.- If you haven't tuned in to one of the Access Hollywood type celebrity TV shows lately, now might be a good time to start. We're expecting a T.J. Zizzo sighting on the red carpet sometime soon.

First it was back stage at the O'Reilly Manager Conference with Danica Patrick and Tony Stewart, now these photos surface with Zizzo, driver of the PEAK, HERCULINER / O'Reilly Top Fuel Dragster, sharing the stage with 'da Bears' Hall of Fame player and coach Mike Ditka and Indiana All-American and 1965 first round draft pick of the Detroit Lions, Tom Nowatzke.

]]>

Nowatzke went on to lead the Baltimore Colts in rushing during 1971's Super Bowl V against the Dallas Cowboys. He also scored the tieing touchdown. Ditka was the Bears #1 pick in 1961 and played under legendary coaches George Halas and Tom Landry.

Zizzo shared the stage with Ditka and Nowatzke during a propane convention for Fire 'Em Up, Inc. where he showed the PEAK Dragster and shared with the crowd his love of drag racing.

"It was awesome meeting people from all over the world and getting to talk with two NFL greats," Zizzo said. "Coach Ditka told me that Old World Industries is a great corporation to be involved with. I later learned that he was a spokesperson for PEAK in the 80's. It was awesome to learn he still felt that way about PEAK after all these years. It made me even more proud of our association with PEAK and Old World".

]]> Summer, Salt and Speed - Tony Zizzo eyes 2010 Bonneville's SCTA Speed Week tag:zizzoracing.com,2010://1.439 2010-01-30T17:27:06Z 2010-01-30T17:58:13Z

Zizzo P.R. http://squeakywheelonline.com

LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill. - August 2009 marked a first for Zizzo Racing and if you ask Tony Zizzo, it won't be the last. Tony Zizzo, team owner of the PEAK, HERCULINER / O'Reilly Top Fuel Dragster that competes in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, made his rookie trip to the Bonneville Salt Flats last summer more than memorable.

While Tony is no stranger to speed of the quarter-mile variety, he did find the 159 square mile salt flats of northwestern Utah a different challenge. "It's a different world out there," Zizzo said. "Bonneville is the place for old drag racers that lose their reaction time," he joked.

A few of the differences in racing for Land Speed Records and Drag Racing became evident to Zizzo shortly after his first licensing pass on the three short track. "The officials told me not to go over 125 mph even though I have drag racing experience at least twice that fast," Zizzo explained. "It's really hard to tell how fast you're going out there. There's no grandstands or finish line to give you a sense of speed. I felt like I was on a Sunday drive."

Zizzo's 217 mph rookie pass landed him in hot water with track officials. "They wouldn't even give me my time slip," Zizzo said. "I really didn't feel like I was going that fast." The compromise that kept Zizzo at 2009 Speed Week was to 'leave the track' and return the next day as if had never been there and start all over again. Just a rookie mistake.

]]>

"Everyone is pretty layed back out there," Zizzo explained. "But it is a lot different on the salt. In Top Fuel we've got that big wing and 8,000lbs of down force. In Bonneville, you've got nothing! You can really feel the aerodynamics come into play on the Lakester. The car just wants to find the clean air, so you can feel it drifting around. You can feel the car just skating around. It's like driving on ice."

On the next day (or first day - depending on which track official your talking to), Zizzo made his second pass clocking 258 mph over 3 miles, again too fast. This time Zizzo was asked to slow down so he would have a proper time slip to turn in for his license. Licensing on for a Land Speed Record is similar to licensing in drag racing, where incremental steps in speed and distance must be achieved safely to obtain a license. For a Double A Lakster, drivers are required to make seven passes, with the first speed not surpassing 125 mph.

With his Double AA Lakster Licence finally in hand, Zizzo set out to break the Land Speed Record. His best attempt registered 261.4 mph, missing the 262.5 mph record by barely 1 mph.

"We made seven passes in two days, I got my license and nearly reset the record," Zizzo said. "That's unheard of in Bonneville."

Zizzo's fiancee' Cathie Gallo made the trip with Tony, which included a stop at Sturgis for Bike Week to get his fix of riding in. "By yourself you can't do anything in these deals. With Cathie by my side and Ted Gledhill providing a great car we had a great Speed Week in Bonneville."

Zizzo plans to revisit Bonneville this summer in attempt to break his personal best of 261.4 mph on the salt. "It's on my bucket list," Zizzo says with a sparkle in his eye. "300 mph on asphalt and 300 mph on salt, we'll be there in August to do it."

The 2010 SCTA Bonneville Speed Week is August 14-20, 2010

]]> Zizzo represents PEAK at O'Reilly Managers Conference tag:zizzoracing.com,2010://1.438 2010-01-18T18:47:29Z 2010-01-18T18:56:12Z

Zizzo P.R. http://squeakywheelonline.com

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Zizzo Racing's Tony and T.J. Zizzo put the PEAK, HERCULINER / O'Reilly Top Fuel Dragster on display yesterday during the 2010 O'Reilly's National Managers Conference at The Gaylord Opryland Resort And Convention Center. The opportunity gave Zizzo a chance to meet O'Reilly team members from around the country. It also gave T.J. a chance to trade racing stories back stage with IRL driver Danica Patrick and NASCAR's Tony Stewart.

"Having a chance to meet Danica and Tony for a few moments back stage was fun," T.J. explained. "There are a lot of differences in how we each get a race car down the track, but in the end, we all just want to compete and drive fast."

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The highlight of the evening came when Zizzo had a chance to meet many of managers in attendance during the autograph portion of the event. "It's a great opportunity to meet these team members," Zizzo said. "We're not just a racing team with an PEAK and O'Reilly decal on our car - we're a customer too. I think a lot of the managers were surprised to learn that we purchase a lot of items from our local O'Reilly store for not only our race team, but our auto body shop as well."

Photos from the event can me found in the Zizzo Racing Photo Gallery.

]]> Tricky conditions shake Zizzo Racing out of Memphis tag:zizzoracing.com,2009://1.364 2009-10-08T05:34:26Z 2009-10-10T05:37:44Z

Zizzo P.R. http://squeakywheelonline.com

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- A good qualifying effort during the 22nd annual O'Reilly Mid-South Nationals landed T.J. Zizzo and the PEAK, HERCULINER / O'Reilly Top Fuel Dragster in the 13th spot for the rain delayed elimination rounds.

Zizzo would face Cory McClenathan in round one of eliminations. Both teams experienced tire shake, McClenathan with the lessor of the two got the win and moved on to round two.

"It was a tricky situation," Zizzo said. "The cooler overcast conditions on Monday were like nothing any of us had seen all weekend. I think the track was a lot tighter than anyone thought it would be."

The O'Reilly Mid-South Nationals marked the fifth and final race of 2009 for Zizzo Racing.

"We had a great time meeting O'Reilly team members during the PEAK promotions," Zizzo said. "It's always fun to be a part of and we hope we get a chance race and represent them in the future."

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