Jay Blake’s Permatex/Follow A Dream team makes its 2012 debut this weekend at the Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla., where the team won the Top Alcohol Funny Car title in 2006.

 “The first race of the year is always exciting,” said Blake. “Tuner Tommy Howell is back from working overseas all winter, and every single member of the team is back with us for another season. Permatex returns as our major sponsor, and that kind of continuity really strengthens a team. It’s a little nerve-racking because it’s the first race of the season, and we all need to knock the cobwebs off, but we’re ready to get back to the racetrack.”

 “Jay and the team did a lot of work over the winter to make the car lighter, which should make it faster,” said driver Todd Veney. “They went from one end of the car to the other preparing everything, and the car should be about 40 pounds lighter than it was last year. The air in Gainesville is always good this time of the year, and the track is one of the best in the country and one of my favorites. Even though it’s the first race of the year, we’re shooting for a career best right out of the gate.”

Following the Gatornationals, the Permatex/Follow A Dream crew will stay in Gainesville for a full day of testing. From there, the team will hit the national events in Charlotte, Houston, Chicago, Norwalk, Indy, and Reading.