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 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 http://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. 2009 will mark Marty's forth season in a Top Alcohol Funny Car. Nothstein drives 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, and made 3 division 1 final round appearances in 2008. Nothstein also made the
fifth fastest pass in Top Alcohol Funny Car history at the NHRA SuperNationals at Englishtown in
June 2008.
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 TreatmentR 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 http://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 http://www.texasroadhouse.com.
