| MARSTONS MILLS, Massachusetts (May 30, 2023) – Jay Blake and The Follow A Dream Team were anxious to get back to the racetrack after a long off-season. The first race of the year was at Maple Grove raceway in Mohnton, PA. Longtime fans of the Follow A Dream Team will recognize this track as the first place Jay dare to dream of starting his own race team. It is also the one wally Jay desires more than any other. Stopping on the way to give an inspirational presentation to students at J.M. Wright Technical Highschool Jay recounted that moment:”I was riding through the pits on the back of a golf cart and I threw my hands up and the air and said “I’m gonna do it, I’m going for it!’, It was at that moment that I knew what I was going to do with the rest of my life, I was going to start my own race team.” The students erupted in applause and the optimism and energy was palpable in the auditorium.Sadly, even with all the positive energy, this win has eluded the world’s only totally blind crew chief once again. The Follow A Dream Top Alcohol Funny Car was warmed up and ready to roll when testing began on Thursday, May 25th. The Dream team’s first race of the year had finally arrived and although the first test run down the track was slightly disappointing, by the second test it appeared that the gremlins were worked out and the car was ready to perform. The second test launched the Follow A Dream funnycar powerfully down the track yielding a 5.50 at 267 mph. High fives and cheers broke out amongst the team member as it seemed that team tuner Anthony Terenzio and Tuning Consultant Rich Bozzelli had finally gotten the racecar set just right.The next day the team was ready to secure a top qualifying spot. After 3 rounds of qualifying runs they ended up in the 3rd position on the ladder with a qualifying time of 5.75 at 263 mph. First round of eliminations was set for 5:00 pm the next day. The team anxiously prepared the 4000+ horsepower racecar for its evening run. Cool weather and a solid warm-up had the dream team hoping for the win that has escaped them for over 20 years. The teams spirit’s were high as driver Phil Burkart Jr. perfectly staged the funnycar and all seemed well. As the funnycar took off, excitement quickly turned to shock when the left side of the funnycar exploded in flames halfway down the track. The number 7 fuel line had broke sending the car’s safety system into an automatic shutdown, sparing the car from more damage, but stripping the team of their long sough after victory. The sense of disappointment was undeniable back in the pits but Jay Blake’s optimism was unwavering. “We’ll be back for the Nationals in September and for another chance at this win. I’m proud of the whole team and thrilled to be back for the 2023 season.”The team’s next race is at New England Dragway on August 25th. |
Lt. Carol Walker, USN (retired) signs the back of the funnycar, which is dedicated to the troops.
Jay Blake signs autographs for tech students while displaying his racecar at J.M Wright Technical Highschool in Stanford, CT.
Follow A Dream Clutch Specialist Lukas VanGelder pulling up tp the staging lanes.