ZIZZO RACING HONORED TO BE A PART OF HISTORIC U.S. NATIONALS

By: Zizzo Racing

INDIANAPOLIS (September 7, 2026) — Zizzo Racing has built a strong reputation as one of the best part-time teams on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series tour, and that was only further solidified this weekend at the Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals. With 22 Top Fuel dragsters vying for 16 race day spots, driver TJ Zizzo was not only able to secure a place in the show, but also earn bonus points during qualifying.
 
“When I got strapped in the car for Q5, we knew by the time we ran that we were in the show,” said Zizzo. “We were pulling under the famous bridge and one of the guys told me, ‘Hey, we’re safe.’ When he said it, a total sense of relief came over me, because no matter what happened out there on that run, we were in.”

Zizzo, driver of the Rust-Oleum Dragster, was very aware of the gravitas of the 72^nd annual NHRA U.S. Nationals, taking place during the NHRA’s 75^th season. The Chicago native entered the weekend with a Diamond Wally on his mind, and the goal of winning a national event with his family weighing heavily on him.
 
“It means everything to me to get to come here,” said Zizzo. “75 years of NHRA. I’ve been drag racing with my dad and his entire team for over 30 years, and to be able to come here and even have a chance to win on Monday is huge for us.”
 
Out of five qualifying sessions taking place over three days, Zizzo’s best run came during the fourth round, a 3.836 second, 328.62 mph pass, earning him the No. 15 qualifying spot. However, his third qualifying run of 3.936 seconds at 322.11 mph was the second quickest of the session, netting him three bonus points.
 
“As a team we don’t really care that much about points because we’re not competing for a championship,” said Zizzo. “But collecting bonus points is still pretty cool because it means we are running just as well, or better, than the teams that are doing this all year.”
 
In the first round, Zizzo was up against the 2025 regular season champion Tony Stewart. Despite making his quickest and fastest pass of the weekend (3.768 seconds at 333.41 mph), it was not enough to get past the No. 2 qualifier. When reflecting on the weekend, Zizzo kept coming back to how special it is that he got to experience it with his father.
 
“Getting to do this with my dad means the world to me,” said Zizzo. “We spend more time together than I spend with my wife and kids. He told me about 25 years ago, ‘TJ, you’re right 90% of the time.’ And thank God he said that. That’s a compliment and a half. And we get to do this. We don’t always agree on things. But it’s okay because he’s got my back and I got his, and that’s what this is truly about.”
 
This was Zizzo Racing’s final race of the 2026 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series season. To keep up to date on their 2027 plans, follow TJ Zizzo on social media. And for tickets or more information on future NHRA national events, visit nhra.com.
 
Qualifying Results
Q1: 3.934 sec, 288.89 mph; Qual. 14
Q2: 7.634 sec, 71.67 mph; Qual. 16
Q3: 3.936 sec, 322.11 mph; Qual. 16
Q4: 3.836 sec, 328.62 mph; Qual. 14
Q5: 4.252 sec, 205.98 mph; Qual. 15
Bonus Points: +3 (second quickest of Q3)
 
Race Results
First Round
Tony Stewart, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., R+L Carriers Top Fuel Dragster, (.044) 3.717 sec, 334.40 mph def. TJ Zizzo, Lincolnshire, Ill., Rust-Oleum Dragster, (.076), 3.768 sec, 333.41 mph