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SAN ANTONIO, TX (March 28, 2007) – The 2007 Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam season is under way in not so typical fashion, but no one is more pleased about the results of the season opener than the Race News Magazine Top Fuel team piloted by T.J. Zizzo.
"We can sum it up as from the outhouse to almost the penthouse," said a laughing T.J. Zizzo. "It was nerve wrecking." Entering the weekend Zizzo and crew didn't know what to expect. Their apprehension was for good reason; they had not made a pass in six months. Never the less, with several modifications to the car, Zizzo's team rocketed down the track with the second fastest qualifying run.
"The first pass we felt we were under powered and the car shook," T.J. explained. "On the second pass we just spun the tires." The Race News team saved the best for the last qualifying attempt, putting themselves solidly in the field with a career best 60ft time of .831 seconds. "We were right on the edge on that third pass," said Zizzo. "I don't think anyone tracks it, but that might be a record 60ft time in IHRA."
Going into the elimination rounds on Sunday the Race News Magazine team felt they had what it takes to be competitive.
"We were confident! We made one good pass but we know how we made it," said Zizzo. "Every round is exciting no matter who you are facing."
Zizzo would find a little luck early when Mitch King didn't make the call in the opening round. The team's efforts (Eighth mile - 3.172ET @ 262.90MPH) would be enough to earn lane choice against Scotty Cannon in the semi-finals. However, when Scotty Cannon's ride couldn't make it to the line, Zizzo would get a bye to the finals to face Bruce Litton. "We were fortunate to be that lucky," said T.J. "Sometimes you just have to take your luck how you get it." Zizzo would fall to Litton in the finals, but leave San Antonio second in Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam points.
Anyone concerned about how far Zizzo's luck will run this season can rest easy. Zizzo and his crew didn't make the call at the airport Sunday night. They were seven minutes late for their return flight home, resulting in numerous delays and missed schedules. "Hopefully we didn't use up all of our luck already," Zizzo added. "It looks like Top Fuel is going to be very competitive, we made need a little more of that luck."
"Overall it was awesome weekend," said team owner Tony Zizzo. "Race News was very happy with the way IHRA treated them and the way our team was able to perform. The turnout and response to the magazine was exciting." Tony added, "This is a unique partnership that we're very excited to be a part of. I can't thank our Marketing Director, Cathie Gallo and Peter Londregan, Investor Relations Director with Word Smith Media enough. Those two are the ones responsible for making this concept a reality."
The Zizzo Racing, Race News Magazine Top Fuel team will head for the next stop on the Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing series, the IHRA Spring Nationals Presented by Advance Auto Parts in Rockingham, NC, April 20-22.
>To learn more about T.J. Zizzo visit Zizzo Racing
Zizzo Takes Good Luck to the Finals in San Antonio
SAN ANTONIO, TX (March 28, 2007) – The 2007 Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam season is under way in not so typical fashion, but no one is more pleased about the results of the season opener than the Race News Magazine Top Fuel team piloted by T.J. Zizzo.
"We can sum it up as from the outhouse to almost the penthouse," said a laughing T.J. Zizzo. "It was nerve wrecking." Entering the weekend Zizzo and crew didn't know what to expect. Their apprehension was for good reason; they had not made a pass in six months. Never the less, with several modifications to the car, Zizzo's team rocketed down the track with the second fastest qualifying run.
"The first pass we felt we were under powered and the car shook," T.J. explained. "On the second pass we just spun the tires." The Race News team saved the best for the last qualifying attempt, putting themselves solidly in the field with a career best 60ft time of .831 seconds. "We were right on the edge on that third pass," said Zizzo. "I don't think anyone tracks it, but that might be a record 60ft time in IHRA."
Going into the elimination rounds on Sunday the Race News Magazine team felt they had what it takes to be competitive.
"We were confident! We made one good pass but we know how we made it," said Zizzo. "Every round is exciting no matter who you are facing."
Zizzo would find a little luck early when Mitch King didn't make the call in the opening round. The team's efforts (Eighth mile - 3.172ET @ 262.90MPH) would be enough to earn lane choice against Scotty Cannon in the semi-finals. However, when Scotty Cannon's ride couldn't make it to the line, Zizzo would get a bye to the finals to face Bruce Litton. "We were fortunate to be that lucky," said T.J. "Sometimes you just have to take your luck how you get it." Zizzo would fall to Litton in the finals, but leave San Antonio second in Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam points.
Anyone concerned about how far Zizzo's luck will run this season can rest easy. Zizzo and his crew didn't make the call at the airport Sunday night. They were seven minutes late for their return flight home, resulting in numerous delays and missed schedules. "Hopefully we didn't use up all of our luck already," Zizzo added. "It looks like Top Fuel is going to be very competitive, we made need a little more of that luck."
"Overall it was awesome weekend," said team owner Tony Zizzo. "Race News was very happy with the way IHRA treated them and the way our team was able to perform. The turnout and response to the magazine was exciting." Tony added, "This is a unique partnership that we're very excited to be a part of. I can't thank our Marketing Director, Cathie Gallo and Peter Londregan, Investor Relations Director with Word Smith Media enough. Those two are the ones responsible for making this concept a reality."
The Zizzo Racing, Race News Magazine Top Fuel team will head for the next stop on the Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam Drag Racing series, the IHRA Spring Nationals Presented by Advance Auto Parts in Rockingham, NC, April 20-22.
>To learn more about T.J. Zizzo visit Zizzo Racing
