The team last competed in September of 2008 at the Carolina NHRA Nationals at zMax Dragway near Charlotte, where they successfully qualified for the inaugural race and posted top speed on eliminations.

Due to financial considerations brought on by the current recession, Foley parked his competitive dragster after that event to focus on his primary business, Doug Foley's Drag Racing School. Prior to their pullback, Foley was a regular winner on race day with the media dubbing him "Giant Killer" for his numerous victories over top-ranked drivers.

"We hope to come out and race hard," Foley said. "We definitely want to return full-time but we have to be sensible about the economics of running a championship-caliber race team. Our search for a corporate sponsor is never-ending and we hope a nice showing in Reading will raise our profile a little and remind everyone we're still around."

For the Reading race, Foley will receive primary support from The Cancer Foundation DAM, which will be making its worldwide debut at the event. The foundation is named in memory of Denise Ann Magliocco, a 56-year-old wife, mother, and grandmother who passed away Feb. 14, 2009, after a long battle with ovarian cancer. The primary purpose of the foundation is to give newly diagnosed cancer patients complete awareness of the many different treatments and options available to effectively treat ovarian cancer.

Magliocco's husband and business partner of four decades, Al Magliocco Sr., started the foundation after his wife's death. The Cancer Foundation DAM currently is awaiting official approval for 501(c) status.

Al chose an NHRA race to launch the foundation due to his dedication to motorsports. The Maglioccos started Fonse Performance in Erial, N.J., in 1970, and have been building high performance motors for drag racers and the marine industry ever since. They currently campaign a car driven by Al Magliocco Jr. in the Northeast Division. The Maglioccos have been NHRA members for many years and formed a working relationship with Foley and Lewis Racing in 2005.

At this time the Maglioccos are building a website www.damcancer.com, which will provide cancer patients and their families the opportunity to ask questions about the disease and discuss alternative treatment.

"We're honored to represent this noble cause and could not have picked a better partner for our first race of the year," Lewis said.

The team is also receiving support from Worth & Company, REIT-M&H Services, Brandywine Realty Trust, Valvoline, Pyroil, Goodson, ARP, Impact, Goodridge, Autolite, Ross Racing Pistons, GRP Connecting Rods, and Victory Valves.

Courtesy of Rob Geiger