05/14/2026
This is a nice little write up showcasing one of our favorite members of .... Good Luck TJ Zizzo!!! We're definitely cheering for you this weekend and will see you soon!!!!!
🔥 CHICAGO’S OWN TJ ZIZZO IS READY TO SHAKE UP ROUTE 66! 🔥
The Ge**er Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals always feels special for hometown favorite TJ Zizzo, and this weekend the veteran Top Fuel driver is looking to make a major statement in front of the Chicago fans at Route 66 Raceway! 🏁💨
While Zizzo Racing competes on a limited schedule, make no mistake — this Rust-Oleum backed team arrives prepared to battle with the best in NHRA Top Fuel competition. During the offseason, crew chief Mike Kern and the entire team invested more than 2,000 hours preparing the car and equipment to ensure they are ready to compete at the highest level when the lights come on in Joliet.
Zizzo and the team have steadily become one of the most dangerous part-time operations in the class, earning No. 1 qualifying spots and posting impressive elapsed times over the past several seasons. Their breakthrough moment came during the delayed 2020 U.S. Nationals where the team raced to a memorable runner-up finish and proved they could run with NHRA’s elite teams every weekend.
“We don’t race often, but we are putting in the work year-round to be ready for races like Chicago,” Zizzo said. “This sport is so competitive and having the ability to be a No. 1 qualifier is a huge achievement.”
With support from Rust-Oleum and guidance from Hall of Fame tuner Rahn Tobler, Zizzo believes the team is positioned for another strong showing at his home track. Last season’s event ended in frustration after an overpowering first-round run against Antron Brown, but the team learned from the experience and enters 2026 more determined than ever.
Beyond the racetrack, Zizzo continues to be one of NHRA’s biggest fan favorites thanks to his annual “Nitro Cakes” pancake breakfast tradition on Saturday morning. Hundreds of fans and competitors stop by every year to enjoy pancakes, meet the team, and celebrate the camaraderie that makes NHRA drag racing unique. 🥞🔥
“Saturday morning serving Nitro Cakes is the best,” said Zizzo. “It’s a cool way to thank the fans and have some fun.”
Now the focus shifts to qualifying and chasing a coveted Diamond Wally trophy in front of the hometown crowd. If the Rust-Oleum Top Fuel dragster performs the way the team expects, don’t be surprised if TJ Zizzo becomes one of the biggest stories of the weekend in Chicago. 💪🏆
📍 EVENT INFO 📍
🏁 Ge**er Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK
📍 Route 66 Raceway – Joliet, Illinois
📅 May 15–17, 2026
📺 FS1 Sunday Evening Broadcast
From Werner Communications
Photo: Auto Imagery
