Welcome Nitro Fans

I wanted to take a little time to explain my blog. I will be keeping up with news and views of the NHRA, Teams, Sponsors and Fans as much as can. I will be posting links, pictures, video's and comments from my experiences and from the fans, teams and sponsors.
My goal is to help spread to word of the NHRA, NHRA Teams, their Sponsors, and the NHRA Community in hopes of supporting it's Growth. Over the years I have seen the NHRA's growth, and I think the potential is there to make this Drag Racing Sport the #1 in the Nation. I would appreciate everyones support.

NitroJohn

NitroJohn
The 3 Amigo's

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Tweet Up At Dave & Buster's at 4 Wide Event in Concord, NC!!

"HEADING TO THE NHRA 4 WIDE NATIONALS IN CHARLOTTE 4/13 TO 4/15?"

Just added: Funny Car Driver Alexis Dejoria.

You are all invited to attend the 2nd annual Tweet up at Dave & Buster's in the Concord Mills Mall, Saturday, April 14, 2012. We will arrive around 7:00 pm after the Nitro qualifying session at ZMAX Dragway. We will have a sit down dinner with the drivers in the main dining area, and then hang out in the game rooms, bowling, or around the bar area. Drivers will be signing autographs, taking pictures, and enjoying the evening with their fans. We had a great time last year, and looks to be a great time this year.





As you know from reading my blog on Terry McMillen, that we had a successful Tweet Up at Dave & Buster's last year. Many people came and got autographs from Terry, and hung out with us as we partied the night away!



This year we are hoping to make it bigger and a bit different. We have 3 NHRA Top Fuel Drivers who have committed to coming and 2 NHRA drivers still pending. Those NHRA Top Fuel Drivers who will be attending are Doug Herbert, Terry McMillen, Hillary Will, and Alexis Dejoria. Along with the drivers are Dr. Ginger, Cori Wickler, and Jim Walczak. Pro Stock Car Driver Erica Enders and Top Fuel Champion, Larry Dixon are still Pending. More may also attend also.

Doug Herbert

Dr. Ginger

Terry McMillen

Cori Wickler

Jim Walczak

Hillary Will

Alexis Dejoria

Qualifying times on Saturday, 4/14/12, for Nitro Cars are 12:00 noon and 3:00 pm. So with luck, they should be done by 5:00 pm. I hope to see you there.

Address to Dave and Buster's"
8361 Concord Mills
Concord, NC 28027





Guest List for dinner:
Janet @JanetS67
Chris @Zackman1125
John @NitroJohn
Greg @NHRAChat
John W @PriceWrightIns
Derrick @derrick76
Laura @LDCRust
Jason @StrokerAceKid
Terry @TerryMcMillen
Cori @Cori3516
Jim @JimWalczak
Doug @DougHerbert
Ginger @TheDrGinger
Hillary @HillaryWill
Mary @rgordon31_55
Alexis @AlexisDejoria

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Nitro Chris from UK and his Dream!

Chris with Melanie Troxel

You all remember when you were young and had your dreams on what you wanted to do and accomplish. It is like when you get older and then it turns into a "Bucket List". Dreams are not always out of reach, and many times it takes special people in ones life to help it all come to life! That is what this Blog is all about. To find those special people and help one of our great Nitro Twitter Group Member to achieve a dream he has had most of his life. To come to America and attend a NHRA Full Throttle Series Event. This young lad would be Chris Hobson. Many of you know him on twitter as @NitroChrisUK . He is always there to help post results of most of the NHRA Events as they are happening.

Chris enjoying a Drag Race

Chris with Tommy Johnson Jr

Chris with Kevin Poynter


Let's learn a little bit about Chris Hobson. Chris was born March 27, 1990 in the UK, and is nearly 22. He was born into the sport as his father was involved in a couple of Drag Racing Teams in the 80's. As a child, Chris attended many drag races with his parents at Santa Pod and Avon Park, and it is where is Passion grew to love the Drag Racing Sport. Chris is a big Die Hard Race fan, and started following the NHRA in the US. Since 2004 he and his dad have attended at least 2 races a year together.

Chris with his Father.

In 2009, Chris became a Drag Racing Tweeter. That is when Chris and I hooked up on twitter and he helped with the Posting of rounds at the NHRA Events, and was a Very Big Help in getting the Nitro Twitter Group off the ground. He had such great Ideas and has even helped with spreading the NTG overseas.

Chris with Lex Joon spoerting the #NTG Decal on his Car.

One of Chris's favorite memories is when he was 6 years old, and he got to sit in a Top Fuel Dragster. The rest is history. He has been an avid fan of Drag Racing, and now hopes he'll make it to America to attend a NHRA Full Throttle Event.

This is what I am on a mission to accomplish. I am looking for those special people that I talked about in my first paragraph, to help make this dream of Chris Hobson come true. Last year we tried to get Chris here, but did not raise enough money to fill his dream. We have a total of $265 thus far going towards his airfare. That is all I am asking is to help with his airfare. I will take care of the rest for accommodations and make sure he gets fed. What do English people eat! I have a lot of Tea and English Muffins LOL! Oh yes, and Fish and Chips. If that doesn't make him happy, not sure what will

So if you feel it in your heart to help us with " A Dream Come True" for Chris Hobson, please send your support to my PayPal account "nitrojohn12@yahoo.com and we will then keep all posted to let you know what race he will be attending. Thank you for all your support!

Chris with Urs Erbacher


Links to Follow Chris Hobson:

Chris on Twitter

Chris on Facebook

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Meet Super Comp Driver Kelsey Lay




NHRA Fans, Nitro Twitter Group Fan, Motorsport Fans! I'd like you to meet Super Com Driver Kelsey Lay. She is an up and coming young NHRA Drag Racer making her way up in the racing categories with dreams of becoming a NHRA Top Fuel Dragster pilot! I say pilot because it takes a lot more to drive these 8,000 horsepower, 320 mph, 3.800 ET Top Fuel Machines. If they had wings, they'd fly almost in Stealth mode. Although with using 16 gallons every 3 seconds, flight would not be very far. So I recently talked with Kelsey while she was in Utah on a Skiing trip on spring break. She took a few minutes out of her vacation time to talk with me about her career, what is in store this year and future goals. The picture below is Kelsey as she was talking to me on the interview after a day on the slopes.




Let me tell you a little about Kelsey Lay and then you can hear more from her in my interview with her. The interview can be reached from the Kelsey Lay Interview. Kelsey always had the passion for car racing and drag racing. She started out young from watching her dad race, and has tremendous support from her family. There is more on the interview about her younger years, so I won't elaborate on it too much here. In May of 2012 and at the age of 17, Kelsey got her NHRA competition drivers license as she graduated from Frank Hawley's Drag Racing School. She also attains an IHRA License. On her 18th Birthday, she entered her first National Drag Race, the Gatornationals in Gainesville, FL. Since then she has been living her passion and getting the experience needed to move up in the ranks in the NHRA. She is currently working on her Top Dragster License which is the next level up from Super Comp. I know with her passion, her drive and education, she will be the one to look out for as a successful NHRA Professional Driver. Speaking of education, Kelsey is currently attending the University of Tampa majoring in Marketing and Communication. This is an awesome choice in her path to gain knowledge to put a Pro NHRA Team together in the future. Being young and very marketable I believe will help with her dreams to become the best she can be in the path she chooses. I would love to see her someday in the future working with a prominent NHRA Top Fuel Team.



I have never met Kelsey in person, but have spoken with her and communicated with her through twitter and emails. I have found her to be loyal to her fans and she takes the time for question and answer sessions on twitter. She is devoted in all she does, and that in itself is the key to success. Someday at one of the NHRA events, I am sure our paths will cross and have the pleasure of meeting Kelsey.




There are many ways that you can follow Kelsey in the Drag Racing World and through the social media outlets such as her web site, twitter, Facebook, and YouTube. You can also check out how she does at events through her tweets or Drag Race Central. I put all the links below so you have just one click to learning more about her and follow her throughout her career. You can see where she is racing this year on her web site and hopefully get a chance to meet her. I was fortunate to get a couple of signed T-Shirts from her and I believe they will be a great collectors item in the future.




Kelsey Lay Interview

Kelsey Lay on Twitter

Kelsey Lay on Facebook

Kelsey Lay on YouTube

Kelsey Lay's Web Site

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Vet Hunters Project "Helping US Veterans"



While attending the NHRA Winternationals in February in Pomona, CA., I had the pleasure of meeting the Founder of The Vet Hunters Project, Joe Leal. Let me back this up first.




I got to the track and went to Terry McMillen's pit to drop off a 9 foot Sandwich I got from Gene's Grinder in Monrovia CA for Terry's team. As I was there, I had called Jim Walczak, Publicist for Terry McMillen Racing, to let him know I was there and he told me that him, Terry and Cori were with the Vet Hunters bringing Homeless Veterans to the track to watch the NHRA Winternationals compliments of Terry McMillen Racing. I thought to myself, that is so awesome that Terry would go out of his way to help our US Veterans, and treat them to fun filled day at an NHRA Event. Not only did he he treat them with tickets, Terry gave them the tour behind the scenes in his pit, and treated them to lunch at the Amalie Hospitality area. I talked to those that Terry brought in and they were so full of excitement and so excited to be at the races. I could see it in their eyes and feel it in my heart.



Cori introduced me to Mellanie and Joe Leal. They told me all about the Vet Hunters Project, how they got started and how they have helped so many Homeless Veterans and getting them back on track in today's world. This is such a great organization, with great people who care so much for these homeless Veterans, that they spend most of there lives in devoting their time to finding and nurturing our Veterans. I have kept in contact with Mell and she shared a lot more since then. Below is an insert from an email she wrote me:

"Tonight, our team is taking off on a local Vet Hunt. We've been overwhelmingly busy with phone calls all week. On Monday, we landed at LAX at 1:00am, were home by 5:00am and had 6 soldiers needing help by 11:00 am. On Wednesday, alone, we provided aid to 7 soldiers, bringing this week's total, thus far, to 23 soldiers who were provided housing or services. We're happy to prevent any bad situation we can, but our souls are fueled by the heroes we know are missing on the streets. Just the other day we found an encampment in Norwalk on our way to help an Iraq Vet. We provided all the relief we had on hand, but gave our word that we'd be back. In true Vet Hunter fashion, we're going to burn the midnight oil as long as it takes tonight to visit not only that location, but several others we've visited in the past couple of weeks. We'll be distributing a wealth of resources that were donated to us by NBC Universal's Incredible Veteran's Network. They recently conducted a "Goodsraiser" and the response was overwhelming. We're so excited that tonight we'll be filling the specific requests of the Americans we've met in our daily travels."




I am just overwhelmed with all that The Vet Hunters Project does with helping our Veterans. They actually go out, search and find these Homeless Vets that have no where to turn, and take them in to help turn them around. Simply AMAZING and I want you all to help spread the word.

Below is more information about "The Vet Hunters Project" I hope you will find it in your hearts to reach out and help such a great cause. There are links on the bottom of the page to Like, Follow, and learn more.




The Vet Hunters Project
Advocacy for Homeless Heroes
A History
The very first Vet Hunt occurred when founder, Joe Leal, encountered a Silver Star recipient, living a homeless life in the streets. The disbelief, that one of our most valiant soldiers was forgotten and lost to the world, was enough to instill the motivation needed to make a change. Since that day, Joe has dedicated every moment of his life to finding and helping our homeless Veterans. His insatiable drive and ardent belief system has infected a remarkable group of individuals and organizations, who are now working together to become the solution to this epidemic.
Silver Star Recipient, Charles Puleo, is the first of many whose life has changed from The Vet Hunters’ advocacy efforts. Having survived the loss of his entire family (wife and children) in a tragic accident, Charles had fallen into a life of total despair, with no hope of recovering. His story remains one of the most challenging Vet Hunts on record; however, he is now also one of the greatest success stories. Charles, who is also a “one hit wonder” in the world of Rock-n-Roll, is back to being healthy and working as a full-time musician in Long Beach, California. Where he had been unable to even pick-up a guitar for years, he now plays his music every weekend for a crowd of regular fans.
Vet Hunters’ teams of Active-Duty and Veteran Soldiers, are vastly trusted by the displaced heroes we encounter and serve. Our system of Vets helping Vets is successful in empathetic ways that other organizations are incapable of replicating; making this the compassionate change our homeless heroes have been waiting for. From the very first soldier assisted, each has proudly sworn an oath to “pay it forward” by doing their part and helping another fellow service member in need. Thus begins, The Vet Hunters Project movement.




The Vet Hunters Project
Advocacy for Homeless Heroes
The Vet Hunters Project originated from one soldier’s incontrovertible belief that there is no respectable way to desert a Veteran, of the United States Armed Forces, on the streets that they bravely responded to protect. What initially began as a fervent grassroots effort, to be the solution to an expanding homeless crisis, has evolved into a nationwide movement for change. Today, The Vet Hunters Project is well-known for being an organization devoted to executing immediate, collaborative actions that prevent and eliminate homelessness for all Veterans.
In the first year of inception, over 100 homeless Veterans, including Silver Star and Purple Heart recipients, have been touched by The Vet Hunters Project. Where shelter is not available, we provide relief in the forms of blankets, tents, weather proof gear, food, clothing and first-aid. Our Street Teams are never without supplies for distribution to every individual in need. No one is ever left behind or forgotten.
This project will not terminate until every returning soldier has truly come home.




The Vet Hunters Project
Past  Present  Future
The Vet Hunters Project is a Veteran’s Service Organization devoted to implementing immediate, collaborative solutions that prevent and eliminate homelessness.
During the first year of inception, hundreds of Veterans were assisted by this Project all over the United States. The development of effective outreach and “Vetworking” will continue to increase in intensity until the homelessness epidemic is protracted and ultimately ended.
The Past:
 The Vet Hunters Project is a grassroots movement that was started by one Soldier who vowed to honor his Fallen Comrades, by serving the living and leaving no Soldier behind.
 Excavations in the streets initiated and “Vet Hunting” was born.
 A small team individually began to find homeless Veterans and assist them in getting connected to resources available.
 Vet Hunters arrange and complete a 1900 mile bicycle ride to St. Louis, finding and helping homeless Veterans in every City visited.
 Hundreds of Veterans and Homeless receive access to: housing and financial resources, Veteran benefits, food, medical supplies, clothing, blankets, compassion and understanding.
The Present:
 Daily Vet Hunts:
o Identifying and documenting encampments and tenants
o Establishing counts of Veterans and Homeless
o Implementing individual action for those we find and help (Every situation is different. Through trust building we learn what the best solutions are for each individual person.)
o Delivering basic resources consistently: Vet Hunters return weekly to drop off food, clothing, blankets and any extra supplies acquired.
 Continued Vetworking within the entire community of Veteran Service Organization and Homeless Coalition Partners.
 Active organization of Stand Down Events across multiple cities
o 1st San Gabriel Valley Stand Down
o Pomona Homeless Connect
o Tzu Chi Thanksgiving Day Stand Down
The Future:
 New Partnerships and Efforts to Come:
o San Gabriel Valley Police Departments are designating Officers to learn how to “Vet Hunt”. This Project will facilitate training on how to locate and effectively assist individuals experiencing homelessness.
o San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department: Homeless Outreach Team has partnered with Vet Hunters to deliver resources and solutions to the homeless in their community. The Vet Hunters will provide direct assistance to identified Veterans, to begin their benefits process with the Veterans’ Administration.
o Increased frequency of Stand Down Events:
 Events currently in development for February 2012, March 2012, May 2012, October 2012 and November 2012.




The Vet Hunters Project
H.O.S.T.
Homeless Outreach Street Team
The Vet Hunters Project is a Veteran’s Service Organization devoted to implementing immediate, collaborative solutions that prevent and eliminate homelessness.
“The Vet Hunters Project – H.O.S.T.”, is being called to formation as a response to the increasing number of homeless and homeless encampments that are developing across the United States. The purpose is to compassionately address the myriad of socioeconomic issues that restrain homeless citizens. We develop relationships with local resources, homeless service providers and advocacy groups, whose common goal is to help the homeless transition out of encampments and into permanent sustainable housing.
The Challenge:
 Since 2009, Chronic-Homelessness has risen 19% throughout Los Angeles County.
 Female Veteran homelessness has risen a staggering 51% since 2009.
 Male Veteran homelessness has risen by 22% since 2009, due in large to Iraq/Afghanistan Vets becoming homeless at a higher rate than the Vietnam Veteran.
 Los Angeles County identifies Iraq/Afghanistan Veterans as High-Risk for chronic homelessness.
 The plight will continue to worsen with 100,000+ Soldiers, currently serving in Iraq/Afghanistan, scheduled to be coming home.
The Goals:
 Provide Officers with options that will enable them to become part of the solution to ending homelessness.
 Conduct training sessions and review local resources to teach Officers how to effectively work with the expanding homeless community.
 Action through collaboration to decrease and/or eliminate:
o Innumerable unresolved citations issued for activities related to homelessness
o Outstanding warrants stemming from unresolved homeless infractions
o Calls for service pertaining to homeless activity
o Negative and uncooperative relationships with the homeless community
o The unavailability of demographical data
Homeless Outreach Teams in the U.S.A.
Across the United States, various organizations and law enforcement departments have formed Homeless Outreach Teams, as a response to the rapid growth of the homeless community. Who’s taking action?
 San Diego, California
 Grand Junction, Colorado
 Colorado Springs, Colorado
 Miami Beach, Florida
 Missoula, Montana
 And more…

The Vet Hunters Project Facebook Site

The Vet Hunters Project Web Site

The Veteran Hunters Project YouTube

Saturday, March 3, 2012

TJ Zizzo, Coming back Strong!!

When I heard that TJ Zizzo wasn't going to be racing at the Winternationals in Pomona, my heart went out to him and his Top Fuel Team. He had sent me a tweet saying that they were still working on the funding. TJ has been a great asset to the NHRA Full Throttle Series and is a great ambassador to the NHRA Drag Racing Community. When I heard the news today that he would be back racing in 2012, I was so thrilled for him, and his team that they will be coming back to race his Top Fuel Dragster.

Zizzo Racing announces today that it has expanded its NHRA Top Fuel relationship with Old World Industries and its PEAK® brand. The deal includes an expanded schedule of at least 22 events through the 2013 season. TJ will make his debut at the Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville, Florida March 8-11.

Lets start with getting to know a little about TJ Zizzo. TJ was born August 19, 1975 and his hometown is Lincolnshire, ILL.
At the age of five, is when the his exposure to drag racing began. TJ's father, Tony Zizzo, is accredited with igniting his passion for drag racing. Tony Zizzo a professional Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Fuel Dragster Driver, is now the Team Owner of Zizzo Racing. By the age of 16, TJ received his NHRA License and took over the driving duties from his father in the family's Top Alcohol Dragster. He went on to set the record as the world's fastest teenager! You can hear more about this record in the TJ Interview from the link below.
After talking with TJ Zizzo, I found that his passion and the his drive to become one of the great Top Fuel Drivers is so intense. Talking to him got me all pumped up and wanting more. He will be a Big Asset to the NHRA Community, fans and his sponsors.

To listen to my 3 part interview with TJ Zizzo, click on the links below.

TJ Zizzo Interview Part 1

TJ Zizzo Interview Part 2

TJ Zizzo Interview Part 3

TJ is well established in the Social Media World and to follow him or to follow his updates, please click on the links below.

TJ Zizzo on Twitter

TJ Zizzo Racing on Twitter

TJ Zizzo on Facebook

TJ Zizzo Web Site