Marty Nothstein Atlanta wrap up

MARTY NOTHSTEIN OUSTED IN OPENING ROUND OF ELIMINATIONS
AT NHRA SOUTHERN NATIONALS

Commerce, GA – Even though Marty Nothstein wasn’t able to find the winner’s circle in his debut as the new driver of the Permatex/Wynn’s Texas Roadhouse 2008 Chevrolet Impala SS Top Alcohol Funny Car, Follow A Dream, Incorporated team owner and crew chief Jay Blake was happy with his team’s season opening performance at the NHRA Southern Nationals in Commerce, Georgia.

“You always want to win,” said Blake, who is the only blind crew chief in motorsports. “However, when you look at the fact that we had a new car, a new driver and new tuner, I’m very happy that we qualified 14th and then gave Steve Harker a good run in the first round of eliminations. We weren’t really able to fully test the car prior to pulling into Atlanta. I’m extremely happy with the way Marty and the team responded under some very difficult circumstances.”

Nothstein’s best qualifying run came on his third attempt with a pass of 5.810 seconds (249.76 MPH). He then improved on that time in his loss to Harker in the opening round of eliminations with a run of 5.796 seconds.

“We learned a lot,” said Nothstein, who is a former Olympic Gold Medal cyclist, who last year during his first full year in Top Alcohol Funny Car, won two races. “We now have a benchmark to improve upon heading to our Division 1 race in Virginia. I never like to lose, but I know that we’re heading in the right direction.”

Nothstein and Follow A Dream return to the track this coming weekend (May 2-4, 2008) at the season opening Northeast Division 1 race at Virginia Motorsports Park in Petersburg, Virginia.

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 www.followadream.org.

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. For more information, log on to www.wynnsusa.com.

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. For more information, visit www.texasroadhouse.com.
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trish@blitzgroupllc.com