TJ ZIZZO AND ZIZZO RACING ONCE AGAIN WOWS IN QUALIFYING IN ST. LOUIS
By: Zizzo Racing
ST. LOUIS (September 28, 2025) — The driver of the Rust-Oleum Top Fuel dragster, TJ Zizzo, isn’t in the 2025 Mission Foods Drag Racing Series Countdown, but that didn’t stop him from collecting bonus points in three out of the four qualifying sessions at the NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals this weekend. Zizzo Racing has a strong reputation as a part-time team that requires the full-time teams to take them seriously every time they show up to a national event. That was evident at World Wide Technology Raceway, located just outside of St. Louis.
“I know I have the best team out here,” said Zizzo. “I am not talking about part-time or full-time. I have the best team. They have great attitudes and give me an amazing race car. The fact that we don’t race all the races and we come out and get qualifying bonus points and start in the top half. It is just amazing for our main sponsor, Rust-Oleum, but also sponsors like Goop who are supporting us this weekend.”
This event was the third and final race of the season for Zizzo Racing. Their most recent event was the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals a month ago. Straight off the trailer, Zizzo made a 3.724 second, 336.23 mph pass that shot him straight to No. 3 qualifier, earning him one bonus point. Over the course of qualifying, Zizzo earned three more bonus points from being the third quickest dragster in the third qualifying session and second quickest in the final qualifying session. By the time qualifying ended, Zizzo was sitting in the No. 8 qualifying position in the top half of the field.
“I love being out here and I have to thank so many people that help us out especially Mike Kern and Rahn Tobler,” said Zizzo. “Those guys work so well together. The performance numbers we are putting up blow me away. The rest of this class has been very welcoming and we love racing in St. Louis. This is an amazing facility. It was sold out yesterday and basically sold out today. Thanks to all the fans for coming out.”
On Sunday Zizzo was up against No. 9 qualifier and 4-time World Champion Steve Torrence. Being the No. 8 and 9 qualifiers meant that Zizzo knew they were evenly matched, and it could be anyone’s game. Zizzo made a fantastic 3.805 second, 334.32 mph that would have advanced him to the quarterfinals, if only he hadn’t redlit, automatically giving Torrence the round win.
“I hadn’t redlit since 2012, so that surprised me,” said Zizzo. “The good news is that our race car is still in terrific shape moving into next season.”
Off the track, Zizzo was a guest judge for the Pit Boss BBQ Contest in the campgrounds on Saturday night, along with SpeedFreaks hosts Crash Gladys and Kenny Sargent. During the competition, he created his own side contest: whoever’s barbecue he personally liked best, would be invited to cook for his team next year.
photo credit AJ Bohlander Photography
“The BBQ contest last night was a blast,” said Zizzo. “I met some great people and ate some awesome barbecue. My favorite barbecue was made by a guy named Brian, and he has kindly agreed to cook a meal for my guys next year. After the contest I even went out into the campgrounds to try some other barbecue from a fan who didn’t enter the contest in time. Our fans are the best.”
The NHRA Midwest Nationals was Zizzo Racing’s final showing in the 2025 Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season. At this point in time, they are planning on competing in two events in 2026, but they are open to attending others if they can find additional marking partners. They will release more information related to their 2026 schedule in the coming months.
Qualifying Results
Q1: 3.724 sec, 336.23 mph; Qual. 3
Q2: 5.296 sec, 126.38 mph; Qual. 8
Q3: 3.792 sec, 324.75 mph; Qual. 8
Q4: 3.818 sec, 332.67 mph; Qual. 8
Bonus Points: +4 (3rd quickest of Q1, 3rd quickest of Q3, 2nd quickest of Q4)
Race Results
First Round
Steve Torrence, Kilgore, Tex., Capco Racing Dragster, (.061) 4.426, 180.91 mph def. TJ Zizzo, Lincolnshire, Ill., Rust-Oleum Dragster, (-.020), 3.805, 334.32 mph
