http://zizzoracing.com/ Zizzo Racing - Home to TJ Zizzo and his Top Fuel Racing Team en Copyright 2007 Wed, 24 Oct 2007 21:53:22 -0600 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification 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."

]]> http://zizzoracing.com/2007/10/dream-season-ends-short-for-zi.php http://zizzoracing.com/2007/10/dream-season-ends-short-for-zi.php Post Race Rockingham Wed, 24 Oct 2007 21:53:22 -0600 LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill.  - If drag racing is a dream, then TJ Zizzo, driver of the PEAK Antifreeze / O'Reilly Auto Parts Top Fuel dragster is living his. It is the first time that Zizzo Racing has attempted to compete for a top fuel championship and they have made the most of their attempt.

This weekend will mark the end of the IHRA Knoll-Gas Motorsports Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series season and the Illinois based team finds themselves on top of the field by 26 points. After a season long battle that saw the lead change back and forth between Zizzo and veteran Bruce Litton the only thing left to decide at the IHRA World Finals is who will be the 2007 World Champion. The PEAK / O'Reilly team will arrive at the Rockingham Dragway on the strength of their 1 win, 4 runner-ups and 1 semi-final appearance.

"It's been a dream season," Zizzo said from the family auto body shop. "A few nightmares, but mostly sweet dreams. I had a dream the other night that my dad was driving the car and Richard Hartman (Bruce Litton's crew chief) was trying to start it and the car wouldn't fire. I'm not sure what that means, but I'll have to keep my eyes on Richard," Zizzo joked.
]]> http://zizzoracing.com/2007/10/zizzo-is-living-the-dream.php http://zizzoracing.com/2007/10/zizzo-is-living-the-dream.php Pre Race Pre Race Rockingham Wed, 17 Oct 2007 03:35:32 -0600 MILAN, Mich. - In March of 2007, Zizzo Racing started their quest for the Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam Top Fuel Championship. After traveling thousands of miles criss crossing the country from San Antonio, Texas to Edmonton, Alberta, TJ Zizzo and his PEAK Antifreeze / O'Reilly Auto Parts Top Fuel team find themselves right where they started, all even.

After nine of 11 events, Zizzo maintains a four point advantage, the narrowest of margins, over veteran Bruce Litton. Scotty Cannon adds his team to the hunt (48 point deficit), with Lagana and McMillen facing long odds for their first championship.

"We've come this far and the season really starts today," Zizzo commented. "As close as the points are, it's really a two race shoot-out. No one can afford to make a mistake."


]]> http://zizzoracing.com/2007/09/season-starts-now-for-zizzos-p.php http://zizzoracing.com/2007/09/season-starts-now-for-zizzos-p.php Post Race Edmonton Post Race Mon, 24 Sep 2007 10:36:49 -0600 CAYUGA, Ont.  - TJ Zizzo, pilot of the PEAK Antifreeze / O'Reilly Auto Parts Top Fuel dragster and IHRA points leader, made his fourth final round appearance of the year at the Toronto Motorsports Park. It also highlighted the IHRA debut of Zizzo Racing's partnership with PEAK Antifreeze, O'Reilly Auto Parts.

The IHRA Canadian Nationals would also provide the Illinois based team a chance to reset their personal and track elapsed time records on Saturday night when they blistered the Canadian quarter mile (4.576 ET /321.27 mph). That run would not only would assure Zizzo a spot atop the Top Fuel field, but also earn him an additional five points with the Last Man Standing award. Their weekend efforts would expand their points lead over veteran Bruce Litton by another 26 points, bringing their total margin to 54 points with just three races remaining.

"It was a good weekend," Zizzo said. "The rain-delayed elimination rounds made things interesting. When Monday rolled around and every team was missing some guys that had to go back to work, it heightened the intensity a little bit. Our team did a great job getting this car prepped and into the final round."
]]> http://zizzoracing.com/2007/09/runner-up-finish-and-career-be.php http://zizzoracing.com/2007/09/runner-up-finish-and-career-be.php Post Race Post Race Toronto Thu, 13 Sep 2007 03:41:41 -0600 LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill. - PEAK Antifreeze, O'Reilly Auto Parts and Herculiner announced today that an agreement was reached with Zizzo Racing to join Race News Magazine as sponsors. PEAK, O'Reilly and Herculiner will become the primary sponsor on the Zizzo Racing Top Fuel Dragster for the remainder of the IHRA season. The announcement comes on the heals of a career best performance for Zizzo at the 53rd annual Mac Tool U.S. Nationals. Zizzo remains the points leader in a tightly contested battle with veteran Bruce Litton for the Knoll Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series Championship.

Brian Bohlander, Brand Manager for SplitFire and Herculiner looks forward to the partnership. "After TJ's success at the U.S. Nationals we couldn't think of a better way to continue the PEAK Antifreeze 60th anniversary celebration than by becoming a partner with TJ as he competes for the IHRA Championship," he said.

PEAK and Zizzo renew a partnership that began in 2004. "We're excited to be involved with PEAK and O'Reilly," Zizzo said. "They've been a friend to our team and a great marketing partner. As the Fall season approaches we want drag racing fans to think about replacing their antifreeze with PEAK from O'Reilly Auto Parts."


]]> http://zizzoracing.com/2007/09/peak-antifreeze-oreilly-auto-p.php http://zizzoracing.com/2007/09/peak-antifreeze-oreilly-auto-p.php Marketing Partners Sponsor Thu, 06 Sep 2007 10:51:18 -0600 INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - The 53rd annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals is under way and TJ Zizzo and his Peak Antifreeze / O'Reilly Auto Parts Top Fuel dragster made their first NHRA appearance of the 2007 season. On the first of five qualifying attempts, the Illinois based team didn't make a full pass, overpowering the track early in the run.

"It's the first time we've run 85% (Nitro methane percentage) in two years," Zizzo said while loading up the dragster for the evening. "We rolled the dice and made an educated guess. It wasn't educated enough. That's one down and four to go (qualifying attempts). We'll have it figure out tomorrow."
]]> http://zizzoracing.com/2007/08/i-just-finished-installing-mov.php http://zizzoracing.com/2007/08/i-just-finished-installing-mov.php Post Race Fri, 31 Aug 2007 02:50:15 -0600 LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill. - TJ Zizzo and the PEAK Antifreeze Top Fuel Dragster will be doing a little work this Labor Day weekend and TJ is not hearing any complaints from his crew. In fact they are all looking forward to it.

Labor Day will mark the return of Zizzo Racing to the NHRA POWERade schedule for the Aug. 29-Sept. 3 Mac Tools U.S. Nationals at O'Reilly Raceway Park. The Indianapolis event is considered to be one of the most prestigious drag races in the world and Zizzo and his crew are looking forward to being a part of the action.

"We're going there to have some fun," said Zizzo who currently leads the points standings in the Knoll-Gas Motorsports Nitro Jam Drag Series. "There's a lot of pressure on those teams in the Countdown to the Championship. We just want to come over here and mix it up a little. The only pressure we have is to help PEAK Antifreeze celebrate their 60th anniversary."


]]> http://zizzoracing.com/2007/08/celebration-planned-for-zizzo.php http://zizzoracing.com/2007/08/celebration-planned-for-zizzo.php Pre Race Indianapolis Pre Race Tue, 28 Aug 2007 10:44:14 -0600 LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill.  - In the midst of a great IHRA Top Fuel points battle that is shaping up to be one of the closest in recent history, T.J. Zizzo, driver of the Race News Magazine Top Fuel Dragster doesn't really want to talk about points or wins or even races. Zizzo wants to talk about the team. It's not that racing isn't important, after all, it is what brought this team together.

As Zizzo Racing competes for its first championship, T.J. reflects on the team that makes it happen. "This entire team is made up of men and women with full-time jobs," T.J. said. "Normally they're all here on Tuesday and Saturday night getting this car ready for a race. In August we had three races in row, they were all here every day of the week, yes, including  Sunday. It's not like these guys live in the neighborhood, some have to fight 30 to 40 miles of Chicago traffic just to get here."

"It would be hard to find 14 people to do what these guys do for money, much less just for the love of drag racing," Zizzo added. "This team is something special. I may never get to experience this again in my career, a chance to be a part of something special."
]]> http://zizzoracing.com/2007/08/nothing-but-love-drives-zizzo.php http://zizzoracing.com/2007/08/nothing-but-love-drives-zizzo.php Milan Pre Race Tue, 21 Aug 2007 03:46:40 -0600 LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill. - Coined by the ancient Romans, the term "Dog Days" was named after Sirius (the "Dog Star"), the brightest star in the heavens. The term conjures up the hottest, most sultry days of summer. For Zizzo Racing, the dog days of summer can only be cured with one thing; water.

It started in Martin, Michigan in a region that needed rain water. Water not only played a roll in the delay of the race but also TJ Zizzo's last qualifying attempt. The earth shaking top fuel dragster had rattled a drain plug loose from a cooler in the starters box, sending a stream of water into TJ's lane. The water would cause the team to shut off the Race News Magazine dragster, delaying their final qualifying run. "That made for an interesting evening," Zizzo said. "My team had to really work hard to service our car an additional time and they did a great job." But the extra effort wouldn't help Zizzo's uneventful final qualifying attempt. "Unfourtenly we had to run a little bit later in the evening. It could have affected the outcome, you never know. That's just how it goes sometimes."

Zizzo would end the Torco Race Fuels Northern Nationals earlier than he had hoped for with a first round loss to J.R. Todd. Todd would go on to a runner-up finish to Bruce Litton's victory. Litton would take a over the top spot in points from Zizzo for the second time this season. Litton will have a 21 point advantage going into the next race.


]]> http://zizzoracing.com/2007/08/dog-days-of-summer-perfect-fit.php http://zizzoracing.com/2007/08/dog-days-of-summer-perfect-fit.php Post Race Martin Post Race Wed, 08 Aug 2007 10:32:09 -0600 GRAND BEND, Ont. - For three out of four races, Zizzo Racing has remained atop the point standings at the Knoll Gas Motorsports Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series. Now, make it four out of five.

Despite the fact that the competition continues to get tougher and a bullseye has been placed on the Race News Magazine team, TJ Zizzo manages to out pace the field.

The MOPAR Canadian Nationals were no different. Zizzo's Friday night qualifying attempt would earn him the Last Man standing honors and five additional points when he posted an elapsed time of 4.662 seconds at 314.83 mph.


]]> http://zizzoracing.com/2007/07/zizzo-maintains-points-lead.php http://zizzoracing.com/2007/07/zizzo-maintains-points-lead.php Post Race Grand Bend Post Race Tue, 24 Jul 2007 10:41:09 -0600 LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill. - Somewhere between tucking the kids into bed and keeping customers happy at the family owned body shop, TJ Zizzo finds time to race his 300mph Top Fuel Dragster. Chase Zizzo down in mid-week and he'll remind you, he's a part time racer and a full time family guy. TJ Zizzo is not unlike most other racers, splitting time between what matters and what he's passionate about.

For Zizzo, taking care of his family and the family business is something that matters and something that he strives to be better at. "It's a fine line and something that always requires a balance," Zizzo said.

Finding passion at the race track is something the pilot of the Race News Magazine Top Fuel Dragster thrives on. While he leads the pack of his Top Fuel companions into the MOPAR Canadian Nationals this weekend in Grand Bend, Ontario, Zizzo reflects on the his second family.


]]> http://zizzoracing.com/2007/07/its-all-in-the-family-for-zizz-1.php http://zizzoracing.com/2007/07/its-all-in-the-family-for-zizz-1.php Pre Race Grand Bend Pre Race Thu, 19 Jul 2007 10:25:07 -0600 EDMONTON, Alberta - The CARS RV & Marine & Motorsports Rocky Mountain Nationals presented by Torco Racing Fuels marked a weekend full of mixed emotions for the Race News Magazine Top Fuel team driven by TJ Zizzo. The first qualifying attempt on Friday gave Zizzo’s team great expectations for the weekend when their dragster rocketed to 326.16 mph run, setting the Castrol Raceway speed record and earning them a provisional number one qualifying position along with five additional championship points with the Friday "Last Man Standing" bonus.

"We were all pretty happy Friday about setting the track speed record and the extra "Last Man Standing" bonus points." said Zizzo. "It certainly felt like things were going our way early."

The Race News Magazine team would go on to qualify in the number two position and fall to Jeff O,Neill during the first round of Sunday eliminations. "We would have loved to gone a few more rounds in Edmonton," said Zizzo. "But it was good to see a couple of new guys in the finals with Jeff [O'Neill] and Terry [McMillen]. Congratulations to Terry and his team for getting their first win."


]]> http://zizzoracing.com/2007/07/zizzo-sets-track-speed-record.php http://zizzoracing.com/2007/07/zizzo-sets-track-speed-record.php Post Race Edmonton Post Race Wed, 11 Jul 2007 10:18:41 -0600 LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill. - TJ Zizzo and the Race News Magazine Top Fuel Dragster head north of the border this week for the July 6-8 CARS RV & Marine & Motorsports Rocky Mountain Nationals presented by Torco Race Fuels at the Castrol Raceway in Edmonton, Alberta Canada. The event marks the first trip to Canada for the Race News Magazine team.

While Zizzo concentrates on qualifying and holding on to his number one position, he's looking forward to seeing the Edmonton area. "I've heard so much about Edmonton and the fans in the area, I can't wait to experience it first hand," TJ Zizzo said.

As the first quarter of the 2007 Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing series heads into Edmonton, Zizzo and his team will attempt to further establish itself as one of the main contenders for the title. "There's a lot of racing left to do this year," Zizzo added. "We're in a good spot. If we just stay consistent and concentrate on the round we are about to run, things will be fine."


]]> http://zizzoracing.com/2007/07/canadian-race-fans-motivate-te.php http://zizzoracing.com/2007/07/canadian-race-fans-motivate-te.php Pre Race Edmonton Pre Race Mon, 02 Jul 2007 10:13:47 -0600 TULSA, Okla. - Two out of three in baseball will win pennants and make a hitter a hall of famer.  The Race News Magazine Top Fuel Team, driven by TJ Zizzo, had the good fortune of racing in two of the first three final rounds during 2007 Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam events. Unfortunately for Zizzo, the Skull Shine Sooner Nationals at Tulsa Raceway Park wasn't one of the events.

In the first round showdown with Scott Palmer, Zizzo would find himself behind from the start. "I probably should have pedaled the car a little sooner," Zizzo said. "I felt the tires start to shake and I thought I could just drive through it. I tried to pedal it, but when I did I just smoked the 'hoops' all three times."

"We're going to work on our warm weather set up," Tony Zizzo, team owner added. "We've got a little work to do to get used to these tires in the heat."


]]> http://zizzoracing.com/2007/06/tulsa-too-hot-for-zizzo-racing.php http://zizzoracing.com/2007/06/tulsa-too-hot-for-zizzo-racing.php Post Race Post Race Tulsa Tue, 26 Jun 2007 10:04:09 -0600 LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill. - Race News Magazine Top Fuel pilot TJ Zizzo is ready to get down to business this weekend at the rain delayed and rescheduled Skull Shine Sooner Nationals presented by Wolverine and Academy Sports + Outdoors. Zizzo is the current Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam points leader and sits in the number three spot for the showdown in Tulsa.

For Zizzo, the time between qualifying and racing (nearly a month) has heightened the anticipation level. "It's crazy," Zizzo explained from the Illinois race shop. "It reminds me of some guy at his first prom dancing every slow dance with his girlfriend before her dad picks her up for an early curfew. Expect for me, it's worse! All I can think about is Bobby Lagana Jr."

While TJ and Bobby won't be doing any slow dances, the do have a date for a first round showdown in Tulsa where the dancing is done in Top Fuel Dragsters at speeds in excess of 300MPH. "Of course there's a little extra pressure," said Zizzo. The competition in Top Fuel is getting tougher every week. Making the trip back to Tulsa and facing Bobby in the first round is going to be tough. He's capable of putting anyone on the trailer early."


]]> http://zizzoracing.com/2007/06/sooner-better-than-later-for-z.php http://zizzoracing.com/2007/06/sooner-better-than-later-for-z.php Pre Race Pre Race Tulsa Wed, 20 Jun 2007 10:23:13 -0600