Motivate, Inspire, Educate
OnTrackTM

FOLLOW A DREAM’S MISSION has always been to educate
children and adults on the power of positive thinking,
self-determination, and teamwork through motorsports.
After over twenty years of inspiring and motivating the
masses, Jay Blake says there is still work to be done. “It’s a
mission that never ends,” Jay says with an easy smile. “I like
to say, ‘with education, there is no finish line.’ I am always
humbled to hear that my story has helped someone else;
it’s incredible to witness the lives we have touched and
the impact we have made. It drives me, it inspires me, and
it energizes me to keep promoting the power of positive
thinking. These five tools really work!”
The five tools that Jay is talking about are a positive
attitude, education, passion, determination, and teamwork.
They are the basis for Jay’s speech and presentation,
designed to encourage and motivate audiences to pursue
their dreams.
After a presentation at Cape Cod Academy in June, the
teacher and long-time friend Juliana Jarvis praised the
charismatic speaker. “I’ve known Jay for over ten years, and
he has come to many events I have hosted for students. He
has a gift for connecting with people of all ages.”
After Spring visits to Granite Academy and The Victor
school, Michael Capobianco, English Teacher at Granite
Academy, echoed Juliana’s sentiments. “Jay Blake spoke
volumes about persistence, gratitude, and growth at one
of our school’s assemblies. His delivery, both engaging
and compelling, featured a sampling of comic relief as
he navigated difficult topics. With a focus on personal
responsibility and team-based support, Blake’s message
resonated with our audience and inspired us all.”
Granite Academy and The Victor School are a part of
Justice Resource Institute which offers a broad range of
specialized schools and unique programs for students
from diverse backgrounds. Blake indeed has a knack for
reaching students, especially those that may not fit the
typical mold.
After a trip to the Carroll Center, a specialized school
for the blind in Newton Massachusetts, Jay reminisced
Continued next pageabout his time there learning to live as a completely blind
man, “When I first arrived here, I was newly blind and
filled with fear, I could never have imagined what I have
accomplished. It’s amazing what can be done when you
believe in yourself and don’t let your fear stop you.”
Jay brings his race car to The Carroll Center every year
and even fires it up to give the students an idea of what
the 4000-plus horsepower engine sounds like. Cheers
and applause broke out from the crowd surrounding Jay
and his race car as it roared to life. Not only thrilling the
students and their instructors but physically representing
what they can accomplish in their lives if they don’t limit
themselves. Jay told his mostly blind audience, “Do not let
your fear stop you; let your dreams drive you.”
Students are often impressed by Jay’s abilities despite his
blindness, but it is his determination and passion that really
impresses his audience; Daniel, a young automotive student
from Madison Park Vocational Technical, Boston’s only
public Vocational Technical School, remarked, “I think his car
is fantastic, and his presentation is impressive too, it’s kind
of an emotional and moving presentation because it shows
that even though he has a disability, it doesn’t stop him from
doing what he loves. It’s the most fantastic thing ever!”
After a packed high school presentation on Cape Cod,
Dennis-Yarmouth student Daniel Springer reflected on Jay’s
visit in a journal entry he shared with us. “That Jay Blake
guy came to speak at school today. He was super inspiring
and really motivating. I am not really into cars, and I don’t
know anything about racecars, horsepower, or all that stuff.
But his story was super interesting.
I think it convinced everyone in the
audience that you can do anything.”
Jay’s speaking engagements
aren’t limited to the Bay State;
Blake has taken his motivational
and inspirational presentation
nationwide. 2022’s speaking
schedule included stops in Texas, Ohio, Georgia, Rhode
Island, and more. At Reading Muhlenberg Vocational
Technical school in Pennsylvania, a disabled girl with
bright, cheerful eyes asked Jay for a hug, saying, “You are
incredible. I always thought that my disability would keep
me from doing what I wanted to do growing up. After
seeing your presentation, I realized I don’t have to give up
on any of my dreams.” Jay embraced the young girl and
reminded her to never give up.
Mr. Blake is certain when he is
asked about his organization
and its mission, “The racing
is my dream, and to be
successful on the track means
the world to me. But, when
I return to my Creator, it will be the lives I have touched
and the people that I have inspired that will matter, not the
races we won, and I am grateful to be able to do what I do.”
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Follow A Dream or to see how you
can volunteer to help us make a
difference. Or visit us at
www.followadream.org.
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Let us know! Just email us at jay@followadream.org
Motivate, Inspire, Educate — Continued
“It’s amazing what can be done
when you believe in yourself and
don’t let your fear stop you.”Funnycar
Report
The
Follow A Dream
Funnycar Team
Phil Burkart
Driver
Jay Blake
Crew Chief
Anthony Terenzio
Tuner
Rich Bozzelli
Tuning Consultant
Scott “Ozzie” Osborn
Lead Engine
Technician
Anthony Mondi
Assistant Engine
Technician
Lukas VanGelder
Lead Clutch and
Transmission
Technician
Joe Driscoll
Assistant Clutch
Technician
Tom Wanders
Chef and Team
Support
Rachel McMahon
Public Relations
and Social Media
Coordinator
With Special Thanks to
David Lariviere
Alan Hadfield
Will Wallace
Scott VanGelder
David Carlson
Wyatt Kubicke
David Thornton
Andrew “Oggie” Pesek
Jack Rodgers
Daphne Irwin
THE 2022 SEASON didn’t end in victory
for the Follow A Dream Funny Car Team.
However, no one can complain about landing
in second place after more than two years
without a single run down the track. The
Dream Team came out of a two-year drought
ready to win, and they came incredibly
close to clinching the Eastern Region
Championship.
After losing primary sponsorship, the Covid-19
pandemic hit, leaving the funnycar parked
for the 2020 and 2021 seasons. However,
the team was anxious to get back onto the
track and put some pent-up energy to good
use. They did generate power and lots of
horsepower, too! The team rounded out the
season with two wins, and two runner-ups out
of seven regional races, and finished second in
the Eastern Region Championship.
They returned strong, winning their first race of
the year at Atco Dragway in April. Team owner
Jay Blake was ecstatic, and the team was fully
charged. But, unfortunately, after the season-
opening win, the Follow A Dream Team lost its
second race. The Dream Team was knocked
out in their first round of eliminations at Cecil
County Dragway in Maryland due to some
unusual transmission failure.
After fixing the issue, the team packed up and
headed to one of their favorite tracks, Maple
Grove Raceway in Pennsylvania. The Follow
A Dream crew rebounded from the broken
transmission but ultimately lost after a tough
round in the semifinals.
At the fourth race of the year, Funnycar Driver
Phil Burkart was able to drive the racecar
into the winner’s circle once again. The
Follow A Dream Team celebrated capturing
their second win of the season. This time at
Lebanon Valley Raceway in West Lebanon,
New York, also Phil’s home track.
August brought another tough loss in the
finals at Atco raceway in New Jersey. Still, the
team was confident in the car’s performance
and hopeful for a win at the race team’s home
track in New Hampshire. But, unfortunately,
New England Dragway didn’t produce a Wally.
The Dream Team was able to get the car to
the final round once again, but victory slipped
away at the last moment.
In September, the Dream Team headed
to The Maple Grove Nationals, the only
National event on the schedule this season.
The Pep Boys Nationals was the perfect
platform for Follow A Dream to help promote
their long-term racing partner and former
primary sponsor, Permatex’s new endeavor,
PermatexTraining.com. Unfortunately, the
team lost in the quarterfinals. Still, Jay and
the team were happy to have had another
chance to try and clinch the elusive Maple
Grove Wally and to help our racing partner
showcase their new training website.
The team headed home filled with confidence
and ready to prepare for the next race in
Virginia. Expectations were high as Team
Tuner Anthony Terenzio, and Team Tuning
Consultant Rich Bozzelli had been working
hard to pull .40s out of the 4000-plus
horsepower racecar.
Heartbreak and disappointment hit the Dream
Team harder than a tropical storm when
the race in Virginia was canceled at the last
minute due to hurricane Ian. Nevertheless, the
Dream Team unloaded the already packed
transporter and tried to come to terms with
losing their final chance to race for The
Eastern Region Championship.
Team owner Jay Blake tried to lift the spirits
of his disheartened team. He reminded them
that he was still incredibly proud of all the
hard work and effort that went into their
almost-championship run. “After over two
years on the sidelines, we’ll take second
place. Everyone on this team has worked
tirelessly to make this season successful. We
got this far because of all your hard work and
sacrifice. We were a threat to win at every
race we attended this year. Next year, we will
win every race we attend!”