LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill. – At the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, TJ Zizzo and the PEAK Motor Oil/Herculiner Top Fuel team showed why they’re among the best in the business. After a strong run on Saturday, a blown engine Sunday night in the final round of qualifying created some extra work for the Chicago-based NHRA Full Throttle Series team. They came out of the box strong Monday morning in the first round of eliminations against fellow second-generation star Brandon Bernstein, falling by only .02 seconds in the best race of E1.
This weekend, they return to zMAX Dragway in Concord, N.C., for the 4th Annual O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Nationals. Last year, Zizzo entered Sunday’s eliminations sixth, his highest-ever qualifying effort since he began racing in the NHRA in 2003. Only by a mere .005 seconds was Steve Torrence able to earn his way to E2. This year, Zizzo has no plans to leave early.
“After a close first round match up at the Big Go against Brandon, our team is ready to do battle again,” Zizzo said. “It is great that we are attending the next race on the schedule after the US Nationals. It keeps our momentum going. On the very first run this weekend, our team and I will feel more comfortable than we have earlier this year after taking a few months off between races. That will improve our performance in qualifying and our finish on Sunday.
“Last year we lost to Steve Torrence by the slimmest of margins. This year we want to AVENGE that loss in the first round no matter who our opponent is.”
Zizzo will get some extra practice at the “Bellagio of Drag Strips” Wednesday. “I will help host the O'Reilly customer race on Wednesday night at the drag strip,” he said. “I will warm up my driving skills behind a Ford Fusion.”
This weekend, they return to zMAX Dragway in Concord, N.C., for the 4th Annual O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Nationals. Last year, Zizzo entered Sunday’s eliminations sixth, his highest-ever qualifying effort since he began racing in the NHRA in 2003. Only by a mere .005 seconds was Steve Torrence able to earn his way to E2. This year, Zizzo has no plans to leave early.
“After a close first round match up at the Big Go against Brandon, our team is ready to do battle again,” Zizzo said. “It is great that we are attending the next race on the schedule after the US Nationals. It keeps our momentum going. On the very first run this weekend, our team and I will feel more comfortable than we have earlier this year after taking a few months off between races. That will improve our performance in qualifying and our finish on Sunday.
“Last year we lost to Steve Torrence by the slimmest of margins. This year we want to AVENGE that loss in the first round no matter who our opponent is.”
Zizzo will get some extra practice at the “Bellagio of Drag Strips” Wednesday. “I will help host the O'Reilly customer race on Wednesday night at the drag strip,” he said. “I will warm up my driving skills behind a Ford Fusion.”
