INDIANAPOLIS – When a race has been going on for as long as the historic Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals, it allows time for some full circle moments. At the 70th running of the U.S. Nationals, TJ Zizzo, the driver of the Zizzo Racing  Rust-Oleum Top Fuel dragster, experienced one of the most full-circle moments of his career, as well as qualifying the highest he’s ever qualified for this legendary event, at the No. 3 spot.

“We take extreme pride in qualifying for the U.S. Nationals,” Mike Kern, Zizzo Racing crew chief.  “We talked this morning about how we raced Doug Kalitta here in 2010 when we were the No. 10 qualifier. We most likely had some parts from them that we had bought, and we beat them in that first round. For this race, we knew we were No. 3 qualifier. We knew we were racing Ida Zetterström and her crew chief, Jon Schaffer, bought some of our used parts. One of our goals this morning was not to let them beat us with our old parts like we have done to others in the past. It’s funny to say that, but we feel that we have come full circle from where we began. We want to win and we are doing everything we can. We also want to keep more teams out here, like teams supported us when we were just starting.” Continue reading →

CHICAGO – For over two decades, Zizzo Racing have been competing at the Toyota NHRA U.S. Nationals, recognized as the biggest race in drag racing history. This year, Zizzo is bringing the Rust-Oleum Top Fuel dragster to Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park and looking to make their own history. Beginning August 30 through September 2, the best Top Fuel NHRA drag racing teams from across the country will be vying for the iconic Wally Trophy at the 70th running of the race called “The Big Go.” Nearly two dozen teams will have five qualifying runs to post one of the 16 quickest elapsed times to qualify for race day and Zizzo knows the Rust-Oleum dragster team will need to be at the top of their game.

“This is the biggest race of the year on the biggest stage,” said Zizzo. “The U.S. Nationals is rich with history and this year there will be so many legends in attendance and special events surrounding the race. I am proud to be a small part of the race and look forward to making our mark with the Rust-Oleum Top Fuel dragster for sure.”

The second generation drag racer won his first competitive round of Top Fuel at the 2004 U.S. Nationals defeating Doug Herbert. Since that round win, Zizzo has raced across the country representing Zizzo Racing, recording more than two dozen round wins and racing to the final round of the 2020 Lucas Oil Summernationals. Earlier this season Zizzo scored his first No. 1 qualifier at his hometown race, the Gerber Collision and Glass Route 66 Nationals outside of Chicago. Continue reading →

CHICAGO, IL – Top Fuel racer TJ Zizzo is thrilled to be participating in the 47th Annual Cornwell Tools Night Under Fire with the Zizzo Racing Rust-Oleum Top Fuel dragster this weekend at Summit Motorsports Park. The fan-favorite on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series will be squaring off with Brittany Force, Antron Brown, and Clay Millican along with a massive list of other drag racing superstars at the one-day family friendly mega-event.

“I was so honored to be asked by Bill Bader to run our Rust-Oleum Top Fuel dragster at the Night Under Fire,” said Zizzo. “This event is known across the country as a must attend summer-time event. I am so excited to see the fans and put on a great show. Bill Bader is an amazing promoter and to be able to be a part of this show will be very special.”

Known as The Greatest Show in Drag Racing® the Night Under Fire on August 3rd will kick off with a driver autograph session from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. followed by pre-race ceremonies featuring the Hooligans Flight team’s dramatic flyover at 6:30 p.m. with the show starting at 7:00 p.m. The night will end with a massive firework display at 10:30 p.m. Continue reading →

NORWALK, OH – In front of a packed house at Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals TJ Zizzo and the Rust-Oleum Top Fuel dragster team brought energy and a strong 12,000-horsepower land rocket performance to race day. After two days of qualifying that saw the Zizzo Racing entry steadily improve almost every session Zizzo qualified No. 10 and faced Tripp Tatum in the opening session. During qualifying Zizzo posted a career fastest speed lighting up the scoreboards at Summit Motorsports Park with a blistering 334.40 mph run.

“We have a really good racecar,” said Zizzo. “I am very happy with this weekend overall. We made five solid runs. These guys are working so hard, and we are seeing results on the track. This Rust-Oleum Top Fuel dragster had a career weekend in Chicago, and we got better this weekend.”

In Chicago at his hometown race, Zizzo was the No. 1 qualifier and raced to the quarterfinals. Today, Zizzo and Tatum were the first two racecars to hit the track. The pair of veteran drivers took off together and were welded side-by-side down the track. At the finish line Tatum had the nose of his dragster out in front to get the win light by .006 seconds in one of the closest races of the day. Zizzo’s losing time of 3.725 seconds was his best run of the weekend. Continue reading →

CHICAGO, IL – Heading into the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, June 28-30, TJ Zizzo and the Rust-Oleum Top Fuel team are looking to build on their early season success at Chicago’s Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 Nationals. Zizzo ran to his first career No. 1 qualifier at his hometown race in mid-May and recorded a quarterfinal finish. The weekend was a huge success for the part-time operation and gave Zizzo and the Rust-Oleum team a huge boost of confidence as they head to Norwalk, Ohio this weekend.

“Chicago was a dream weekend for this Rust-Oleum Top Fuel team,” said Zizzo. “No one sees all the hard work and the hundreds of hours that my mostly volunteer crew puts in. I brought them all on stage for the pre-race ceremony to recognize the whole team when we were No. 1 and I hope we can do that again in Norwalk.”

Throughout his career Zizzo and the Zizzo Racing operation that is owned by his father Anthony Zizzo have brought a level of professionalism and passion to every race. The team has raced to one final round, the 2020 NHRA Summernationals in Indianapolis, a race that was delayed by weather and their ongoing development with new parts and equipment have continued to elevate their race team. They are considered a threat to the competition every race they enter. The fact that they are not on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series full time is not a concern for Zizzo. Continue reading →

CHICAGO – TJ Zizzo and the Rust-Oleum Top Fuel dragster team continued to turn heads and impress NHRA fans earning their first career No. 1 qualifier at the Gerber Collision & Glass NHRA Route 66 Nationals. On race day Zizzo took out No. 16 qualifier Tony Stewart before bowing out to Dan Mercier in the quarterfinals. The weekend was a huge success for the Chicago-based Top Fuel team as they started their 2024 season with solid runs and momentum heading into the season.

“Sure, you lose in the second round and you are disappointed by that right?” said Zizzo. “But then you have to trace your steps back. We hadn’t raced for seven months, to come out here and make respectable runs every single time, almost every single time, was awesome. We did well, we showed our marketing partners, friends, and family that we have a really great team. Our team is excited.”

During qualifying Zizzo posted the quickest run in three of the four qualifying sessions for the Top Fuel class earning nine total bonus points. His team also gathered valuable data to use later in the season. As the No. 1 qualifier Zizzo was able to recognize his entire crew during the opening ceremonies and celebrate their tremendous accomplishment. Continue reading →

Chicago, IL – It has been a long time coming but TJ Zizzo today secured his first NHRA national event Top Fuel No. 1 qualifier at the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 Nationals. The veteran driver who campaigns the Rust-Oleum Top Fuel dragster on a limited schedule held off a furious charge from world champions and full-time teams over four rounds of qualifying at Route 66 Raceway. Zizzo’s quickest time of 3.735 seconds at 331.77 mph posted during the second qualifying session held up throughout Saturday’s sessions.

“I’m normally very chatty but right now I’m speechless,” said Zizzo, a fan favorite when he competes. “This is fantastic. This has been a great weekend so far, but we have a lot of work ahead of us. But to be the No. 1 qualifier, that is our first No. 1 qualifier, we have been doing this a long time. My entire volunteer team works their tail off and here we are, No. 1 qualifier at our hometown event.”

“This is a dream come true,” added Zizzo. “I had an epiphany while I was power washing my deck was ‘TJ stop thinking about not qualifying at this event and start thinking about being No. 1 qualifier at this event.’ I told our entire time that last week and I told my dad that. I said here is the deal guys, we have the equipment, the people, the know how to be No. 1 qualifier, and that is what we are going to do. That is a dream come true.” Continue reading →

CHICAGO, IL – For over 20 years, Top Fuel racer TJ Zizzo has been rolling into Rt. 66 Raceway chasing a dream. The Chicago native racing

with his family team owned by his father Tony Zizzo, also a drag racing veteran, has proven time and time they are serious competitors. This weekend at the Gerber Collision & Glass Rt. 66 Nationals, May 17-19, Zizzo and his Rust-Oleum sponsored Top Fuel dragster will be looking to continue a streak of success with a consistent goal in mind. The team has won rounds and captured upset victories on race day, but standing in the winner’s circle hoisting the famed Wally trophy on Sunday afternoon is the ultimate prize.

“We are a family-owned team with crew members that have been with us for over 30 years,” said Zizzo, from his Chicago-based shop. “We come out to the races with winning as our number one goal. We have worked throughout the offseason making our race car better. Last year we built a new race car and made a big jump but this year we are in an even better position to really make quick runs and win some rounds. This Rust-Oleum Top Fuel dragster has been so close, and I think we can get there. I have so much confidence and cannot wait to get to the track.” Continue reading →

CHICAGO – Last season, drag racing fans were thrilled to see Chicago native TJ Zizzo and the Rust-Oleum Top Fuel dragster return to action on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. Once again Zizzo Racing led by team owner Tony Zizzo and driver TJ will start their season at the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals, May 17-19, at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Illinois. The wildly popular event returned last season with sold out grandstands and racing action that included a run to the semifinals by Zizzo and the Rust-Oleum Top Fuel team. With a busy off-season behind them, Zizzo Racing is even more prepared and excited to get the 2024 season underway.

“Last year we had all new equipment and had been away from the sport, so it took us some time to get our feet under ourselves,” said Zizzo, one of the most respected drivers on the tour. “We want to represent Rust-Oleum and all our sponsors to the highest level when we hit the track so our goal in Chicago and throughout the season will be to make the most of qualifying and then give it our all on race day. This team has a lot of experience and most importantly we have a lot of heart.”Last season one of the major contributors to Zizzo Racing’s return and success was the addition of a new race car thanks to a generous offer by NHRA Hall of Fame driver and team owner, Don Schumacher.

Over the off-season, Schumacher lost a courageous battle against cancer and the loss weighs heavily on the entire Zizzo Racing team and NHRA community. There will be a number of celebratory memorial events for Schumacher, and he will be top of mind for Zizzo throughout the event and rest of the season. Continue reading →

CHICAGO, IL – Zizzo Racing will begin their 2024 season competing at the highest level on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series at the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals, May 17-19 with new associate sponsor Master Truck & Trailer (MTT). The Waukegan, Illinois based company has enjoyed a long-standing professional and personal relationship with team owner Tony Zizzo as well as driver TJ Zizzo which will now manifest itself into branding on the Zizzo Racing 12,000 horsepower Rust-Oleum Top Fuel dragster.

“My dad has known John Pinkley at MTT for years and the opportunity to add their company to our race team is a perfect arrangement,” said TJ Zizzo, driver of the Rust-Oleum Top Fuel dragster. “You can’t live in the Lake County area and not hear the incredibly catchy MTT commercials on the radio and everyone at Zizzo Racing is ‘down with MTT.’ On a serious note the quality of products MTT is providing to their customers is amazing and we want to highlight their company at the track and across the country.”

Master Truck & Trailer will be an associate sponsor for Zizzo Racing at the Route 66 Nationals in Chicago (May 17-19), the Summit Racing Equipment Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio (June 28-30), the Night Under Fire specialty race in Norwalk (August 2-3), the US Nationals in Indianapolis (August 29-September 2) and the Midwest Nationals in St. Louis (September 27-29). Continue reading →