Marty Nothstein Pomona preview

FOLLOW A DREAM RETURNS TO ACTION AT NHRA FINALS
AT AUTO CLUB RACEWAY IN POMONA, CALIFORNIA

Marstons Mills, MA – November 12, 2008 – The Follow A Dream (“FAD”) Top Alcohol Funny Car race team returns to action this weekend (November 13-16, 2008) at the Auto Club of Southern California Finals at Auto Club Raceway in Pomona, California. It will be the final race of the season and the first time co-tuner Tom Howell has joined the team since returning from a one year stretch as a contractor in Afghanistan two weeks ago.

Pomona holds special meaning for FAD, having runnered-up in 2005 and winning the event in 2006. “It’s great to be back at Pomona,” said FAD team owner Jay Blake, who is the only totally blind crew chief in motorsports. “We’ve had such great success here and the fact that Tom Howell made it back to the States in time to be part of the last race of the season has the whole team excited to make the best possible showing.”

Blake added, “It’s an extremely tough field here in Pomona. The Permatex/Wynn’s/Texas Roadhouse 2008 Chevrolet Impala SS Funny Car will definitely be ready for the challenge that we’ll be facing. Hopefully, we’ll be able to build on the success we’ve had here in the past.”

Follow A Dream has found quite a bit of success this season to date, with co-tuner Jim Blake tuning the Dream Team to 3 division 1 final round appearances in Tom Howell’s absence. Team driver, Marty Nothstein also made the fifth fastest pass in Top Alcohol Funny Car history at the NHRA SuperNationals at Englishtown in June. Additionally, the team was featured in the New York Times in a Sports Section cover story in June.

In addition to the achievements FAD has had at the track, Blake and team driver Marty Nothstein attended the AAPEX show in Las Vegas last week on behalf of team sponsor Permatex, where they displayed the Permatex/Wynn’s/Texas Roadhouse 2008 Chevrolet Impala SS. Both Marty and Jay had the opportunity to meet fans and sign autographs while at the Permatex booth. Jay and transport driver Ed Parker made a stop at team sponsor Wynn’s headquarters in Azusa, CA on the way to the track this past Monday, where they displayed the funny car and updated the folks at Wynn’s on what’s going on with the team.

November 26-30 will find Jay attending the Central Florida International Auto Show in Orlando, FL, one of the ten largest auto shows in the country. Jay will be the keynote speaker at the VIP Preview Luncheon on Nov. 26. Jay is scheduled to wrap appearances around the event, beginning with a stop at Seminole Community College on Nov.25 and Mid Florida Tech on Dec. 1.

The Follow A Dream Funny Car will also be on display at the PRI Show in Orlando, Dec. 11-13.

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 marks Marty’s third season in a Top Alcohol Funny Car. Nothstein, is driving 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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Media Contacts:
Terri Donlon 508.420.8319
jay@followadream.org