PERMATEX/FOLLOW A DREAM TEAM TUNER TOM HOWELL TO RETIRE
Marstons Mills, Mass. (Jan. 19) – With great sadness, the Permatex/Follow A Dream team announces the retirement of longtime tuner Tom Howell, who recently was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS – also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease). His departure marks the end of an era for the team. Howell called the shots when team owner and crew chief Jay Blake began campaigning Alcohol Funny Cars in 2003, and under his guidance the team has won a regional championship, four national events, and 10 divisional/regional events, including three wins in 2015 with driver Todd Veney. Howell’s involvement in motorsports spans more than 30 years, including stints with Marc Rowe Race Cars, the Blue Chip IHRA Funny Car driven by Dave Rowe, and the Florence Motorsports dragster driven by Don Florence. He also has extensive experience with Super Modifieds and offshore racing boats. Longtime tuner Anthony Terenzio, who guided veteran Mickey Ferro to countless Alcohol Funny Car victories, including five in a row to conclude the 2010 season, will take over for Howell in 2016.
About Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurological disease that causes muscle weakness and gradually impacts on the functioning of the body, leading to eventual death. It is also referred to as motor neuron disease or Lou Gehrig’s disease, named after the famous baseball player who had the condition.
About Follow A Dream
Follow A Dream Race Team is a remarkable story in itself, and winning at the national level is only part of it. Follow A Dream’s owner and crew chief, Jay Blake, is totally blind. Jay lost his eyesight in a tire explosion over 19 years ago, but he did not lose his positive attitude on life, nor his desire to pursue his dreams. Jay had always wanted to form his own race team, and in spite of his serious setback, he continued to focus on his goals. Through years of incredible determination and perseverance, he was able to realize his dream and founded Follow A Dream Racing. Since then, the team has worked its way up the rankings to become one of the top Funny Car teams in the world.