Pomona, Calif. – Looking to take advantage of overcast skies and cool track temps, TJ Zizzo and Zizzo Racing went for it during Thursday’s Rd. 1 of NHRA Full Throttle Series qualifying at the Auto Club NHRA World Finals here. Two weeks ago in Las Vegas, the gambit paid off with the Chicago-based Top Fuel team as they earned the No. 2 overall spot when Q1 ended.
The tuneup at Auto Club Raceway was just a bit too aggressive, causing the PEAK Motor Oil/Herculiner dragster to smoke the Goodyears almost immediately, resulting in a 9.896 second ET. Since it was the only qualifying run of the day, the team can take extra time to prepare the car for Friday’s second round and earn a spot in Sunday’s eliminations.
“We were trying to go after it and spun the tires,” Zizzo said. “We’ve got three more runs to get the setup correct. The blower was better but just a little over turned. Tomorrow’s another day.”
Also not in the show after Rd. 1 are heavy hitters Shawn Langdon and Antron Brown, racing for his first-ever NHRA Full Throttle Series title. Seven-time class champion and fellow Chicago native Tony Schumacher finished the day on the provisional pole with a 3.827 second ET. Schumacher is winless this season with this weekend representing his last chance to take home a 60th Anniversary pewter Wally.
Zizzo Racing is racing in the Auto Club NHRA World Finals this weekend at Auto Club Raceway. The second round of quals are Friday at 1 p.m. Saturday will see the final two rounds, expected for 11:45 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Sunday’s pre-race ceremonies begin at 9:45 a.m. with first round of eliminations running at 11. For tickets, click HERE.
The tuneup at Auto Club Raceway was just a bit too aggressive, causing the PEAK Motor Oil/Herculiner dragster to smoke the Goodyears almost immediately, resulting in a 9.896 second ET. Since it was the only qualifying run of the day, the team can take extra time to prepare the car for Friday’s second round and earn a spot in Sunday’s eliminations.
“We were trying to go after it and spun the tires,” Zizzo said. “We’ve got three more runs to get the setup correct. The blower was better but just a little over turned. Tomorrow’s another day.”
Also not in the show after Rd. 1 are heavy hitters Shawn Langdon and Antron Brown, racing for his first-ever NHRA Full Throttle Series title. Seven-time class champion and fellow Chicago native Tony Schumacher finished the day on the provisional pole with a 3.827 second ET. Schumacher is winless this season with this weekend representing his last chance to take home a 60th Anniversary pewter Wally.
Zizzo Racing is racing in the Auto Club NHRA World Finals this weekend at Auto Club Raceway. The second round of quals are Friday at 1 p.m. Saturday will see the final two rounds, expected for 11:45 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Sunday’s pre-race ceremonies begin at 9:45 a.m. with first round of eliminations running at 11. For tickets, click HERE.
