Fresh off back-to-back victories at regional events and consecutive semifinal finishes in national event competition, Jay Blake’s Permatex/Follow A Dream Top Alcohol Funny Car team heads to Maple Grove Raceway for the final race of the season, the Auto Plus Nationals. In each of the last two years, driver Todd Veney made his quickest run ever in the first round of eliminations at this event – 5.549 in 2010 and 5.548 last year.

“I’m excited about this race,” said Blake, who will be in the area days in advance to speak to students at the Universal Technical Institute. “The weather’s supposed to be good this year, and we’re looking forward to another great weekend. It’s really been a good year, and we want to end it on a great note.”

Qualifying sessions are scheduled for 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Friday and 1:30 Saturday, and the first round of eliminations is slated to go off at 4:30 Saturday afternoon. The event will be televised on ESPN2 Sunday, October 14 at 2 p.m. Eastern.