Marty Nothstein/Jay Blake LODRS 1-2 Preview

FOLLOW A DREAM CONTINUES RACING SEASON THIS WEEKEND AT MAPLE GROVE RACEWAY

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 a drag racing team.

Blake brings his Permatex/Wynn’s/Texas Roadhouse 2008 Chevrolet Impala SS Top Alcohol Funny Car to Maple Grove this weekend (May 22-23, 2009), for the second stop on the 2009 NHRA Northeast Division 1 race schedule.

“Every race is special, but this one this year is a little more so, because it comes on 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 the car and the team are both really strong. We’ve been pretty busy back at the shop getting a new engine in the car over the last couple of weeks. 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.

“I love racing at The Grove,” said Nothstein, the 2000 Olympic Gold Medalist in track cycling. “My first ever trip down a drag strip was in a Super Comp car at Maple Grove,” added Nothstein. “From that moment on, I was hooked! Maple Grove is my home track and I look forward to the Lucas Oil divisional event this weekend. The team is really clicking, the morale is high, the guys are all excited, and we’re ready to go racing!”

Nothstein added, “I want to have a great weekend for Jay. I know that Maple Grove means a lot to Jay and I couldn’t think of a better way to make his weekend than to help him experience the winner’s circle in Reading!”

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.



MEDIA CONTACTS:

Terri Donlon

508.420.8319

terri@followadream.org

Jay Blake

508.566.5200

jay@followadream.org