FOLLOW A DREAM COMES TO MAPLE GROVE RACEWAY WITH HIGH HOPES
Marstons Mills, MA – Maple Grove Raceway outside of Reading, Pennsylvania holds special meaning for the Follow A Dream (“FAD”) Top Alcohol Funny Car race team. Maple Grove is where FAD team owner and crew chief Jay Blake, who is the only blind crew chief in motorsports, decided to follow his dream of owning his own drag race team.
Blake brings his Permatex/Wynn’s/Texas Roadhouse 2008 Chevrolet Impala SS Top Alcohol Funny Car to Maple Grove this weekend (May 23-24, 2008) for the second stop on the 2008 NHRA Northeast Division 1 race schedule.
“Every race is special, but this one this year is a little more so, because it comes one day after the anniversary of my accident,” said Blake, who was left without sight, taste and smell following the May 22, 1997 industrial accident that left him clinging to life. “It’s amazing how far this team has come over the years, and it would be great if we put it all together this weekend at Maple Grove.”
Blake added, “I really believe that we can build on our second place finish in Virginia a couple of weeks ago. I feel that we’re starting to gel as a team. Remember, we changed everything during the off-season, from the car to the driver to a lot of new people on the crew, and it takes a little time to get all the pieces working as one. I’d love to put together five consistent runs this weekend.”
In addition to Blake’s fondness for Maple Grove, driver Marty Nothstein began his drag racing career at the eastern Pennsylvania track.
“My first ever trip down a drag strip was in a Super Comp car at Maple Grove,” said Nothstein, the 2000 Olympic Gold Medalist in track cycling. “From that moment on, I was hooked! I consider Maple Grove my home track. During last year’s race there, I ran a personal best. I love everything about Maple Grove.”
Nothstein added, “I want to have a great weekend for Jay and the team. I know that Maple Grove means a lot to Jay, and I’d love to help him experience the winner’s circle in Reading!”
Follow A Dream and Nothstein are currently fourth in the Division 1 season points standings. FAD’s 64 points puts the team 63 points behind current points leader Mickey Ferro.
About Follow A Dream
Established in 1999, Follow A Dream is a non-profit 501(C)3 organization. The organization’s message is uniquely delivered through NHRA drag racing as its medium. As racing’s only totally blind, race crew chief, Follow A Dream Founder, Jay Blake draws upon his personal experience of overcoming adversity and achieving his dream of auto racing, and shares his inspiration with others. For more information go to
followadream.org - Follow A Dream Drag Racing and Self Determination.
About Marty Nothstein
Marty ‘The Blade’ Nothstein is one of the most recognized cyclists in the world having won an Olympic Gold Medal in the 2000 Games in Sydney and Silver in Atlanta in 1996. Nothstein is America’s most decorated track cyclist with 35 U.S. National titles, three World Championships, four Pan-American Games Gold Medals, plus he’s a World and Olympic record holder. Since retiring from professional cycling in 2006, Marty is focusing his need for speed in the world of drag racing. 2008 will mark Marty’s third season in a Top Alcohol Funny Car. Nothstein will drive for Jay Blake, the Founder and Crew Chief of “The Follow A Dream Team”. Blake is the only totally blind crew chief in the world of motorsports. After a successful rookie season in 2006 in his Top Alcohol Funny Car, Nothstein found the winner’s circle twice during the 2007 NHRA Drag Racing Series season.
About Permatex
Permatex, Inc. is a leading manufacturer, distributor, and marketer of premium chemical products to the automotive maintenance and repair markets. Since 1909, Permatex has been an acknowledged leader in the development of innovative new products and services for the automotive aftermarket.
About Wynn’s
Wynn’s traces its history to 1939 when the original Wynn’s Friction Proofing Oil Treatment® formula was first developed and introduced to the automotive market. In the 65 years following the introduction of that single product, Wynn’s has grown to become a leading worldwide manufacturer and marketer of innovative, groundbreaking automotive specialty chemicals and service equipment, as well as Complete Automotive Maintenance Programs.
About Texas Roadhouse
Based in Louisville, Ky., Texas Roadhouse opened its doors in 1993. In just 15 years, the company has grown to more than 290 locations in 44 states. In 2006, readers of a national magazine voted Texas Roadhouse as the top concept in the Pub/Grill category, and Forbes magazine ranked the company as one of the 200 Best Small Companies.
