followadream.org - Follow A Dream Drag Racing and Self Determination

Marstons Mills, MA - June 17, 2009-The Follow A Dream Permatex/Wynn’s/Texas Roadhouse 2008 Chevrolet Impala SS Top Alcohol Funny Car team had a bumpy weekend at the United Association NHRA SuperNationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, NJ

The team was out of the competition after the parachutes on the racecar failed to blossom during the second round of eliminations. Driver Marty Nothstein hit the brakes hard and the car bounced as he tried to get it stopped. The car continued off the end of the track and turned sideways as it hit the catch net, rolling the car over and then flipping it back up on its wheels. Fortunately, Nothstein was out of the car right away and walking around the shutdown area.

"This is obviously not the way we wanted the weekend to end for us", said team owner Jay Blake. "Most importantly though is that Marty is okay and we'll get the car repaired and ready to race another day." A preliminary check of the car revealed mostly body damage, with the chassis looking to be in good shape. Further inspection of the chassis will determine the next step toward getting the car and team back on track.

It wasn't all bad news for the dream team this past weekend, as Nothstein qualified sixth during Friday and Saturday's two-run qualification rounds. Nothstein's round one pass was the best of the season for the Follow A Dream team with an elapsed time of 5.592 seconds and a speed of 258.81 MPH. Rejoining the team for the first time this year were long time crew members Scott DeWitt and Scott Osborn. "The car was really running well prior to the chute problem", stated Blake. "It was great to have the two Scott's with us again, that was really cool."

Blake, Clutch Specialist Charlie Mitchell, and Crew Member Joe Mitchell arrived at the track late Friday evening, after attending Charlie's son Andrew's graduation from Lynn English High School, in Lynn, Massachusetts. Jay was the commencement speaker at the June 12 ceremony, where Charlie was invited to join Jay on stage and present Andrew his diploma. "It was a really special day", stated Blake. "The highlight of the weekend for sure, and an exciting time for Charlie and his family."

The 40th annual United Association NHRA SuperNationals sportsman competition will be broadcast June 21 2009 @ 11:00AM ET on ESPN2.

The Dream Team will be attending and displaying the funny car at the Syracuse Nationals, in Syracuse, NY, July 17-19. Last years event, held at the New York State Fairgrounds, had some 7000 cars on display and over 70,000 attendees over two days.

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About Follow A Dream
Established in 1999, Follow A Dream is a non-profit 501(C)3 organization. The organization’s message is uniquely delivered through NHRA drag racing as its medium. As racing’s only totally blind, race crew chief, Follow A Dream Founder, Jay Blake draws upon his personal experience of overcoming adversity and achieving his dream of auto racing, and shares his inspiration with others.

About Marty Nothstein
Marty ‘The Blade’ Nothstein is one of the most recognized cyclists in the world having won an Olympic Gold Medal in the 2000 Games in Sydney and Silver in Atlanta in 1996. Nothstein is America’s most decorated track cyclist with 35 U.S. National titles, three World Championships, four Pan-American Games Gold Medals, plus he’s a World and Olympic record holder. Since retiring from professional cycling in 2006, Marty is focusing his need for speed in the world of drag racing. 2008 will mark Marty’s third season in a Top Alcohol Funny Car. Nothstein will drive for Jay Blake, the Founder and Crew Chief of “The Follow A Dream Team”. Blake is the only totally blind crew chief in the world of motorsports. After a successful rookie season in 2006 in his Top Alcohol Funny Car, Nothstein found the winner’s circle twice during the 2007 NHRA Drag Racing Series season.

About Permatex
Permatex, Inc. is a leading manufacturer, distributor, and marketer of premium chemical products to the automotive maintenance and repair markets. Since 1909, Permatex has been an acknowledged leader in the development of innovative new products and services for the automotive aftermarket.

About Wynn’s
Wynn’s traces its history to 1939 when the original Wynn’s Friction Proofing Oil Treatment® formula was first developed and introduced to the automotive market. In the 65 years following the introduction of that single product, Wynn’s has grown to become a leading worldwide manufacturer and marketer of innovative, groundbreaking automotive specialty chemicals and service equipment, as well as Complete Automotive Maintenance Programs. For more information, log on to www.wynnsusa.com.

About Texas Roadhouse
Based in Louisville, Ky., Texas Roadhouse opened its doors in 1993. In just 15 years, the company has grown to more than 290 locations in 44 states. In 2006, readers of a national magazine voted Texas Roadhouse as the top concept in the Pub/Grill category, and Forbes magazine ranked the company as one of the 200 Best Small Companies. For more information, visit www.texasroadhouse.com.

Hartford, CT… Permatex, a leader in chemical technology for automotive maintenance and repair, is marking its 100th year in business. The company was founded in 1909 by Constant A. Benoit Sr., a creative chemist, who started the business with a simple glue he developed for bonding bicycle tires. Mr. Benoit was also a motorsports enthusiast and frequently attended car races. At a 24-hour race in 1915, he noticed that many of the cars were constantly blowing head gaskets and pitting for repairs. Benoit came up with a sealant that solved the problem and launched Permatex into the automotive chemical maintenance business.

Today, Permatex is the preferred choice in chemical products for motorsports teams, professional automotive technicians, performance buffs, and general automotive do-it-yourselfers. The company offers a wide range of adhesives, sealants, gasket makers, hand cleaners, lubricants, appearance products, specialty repair kits, and additives.

According to Andy Robinson, General Manager of Permatex, “We’ve come a long way since Mr. Benoit’s ground-breaking effort helped change the face of endurance racing, but that same pioneering spirit that helped to launch the Permatex brand over 100 years ago continues to drive the company today. His passion for innovation is evident in the wide range of advanced products we are now marketing, such as our Gel Twist™ and Gel Squeeze™ threadlocker delivery systems, ‘torque and go’ 1-Minute Gasket™, B-Force™ 100% biodegradable lubricant, and Low-VOC, foaming action Gasket Remover. At Permatex, we are focused on understanding what consumers need and want, and we put our efforts into R&D programs that will help us develop the next generation of new products.”

Permatex now has over 350 products and produces approximately 1,200 SKUs, providing market-specific formulations and application methods for a variety of industries, including automotive, marine, heavy duty, and off highway. The company is constantly working with automakers, parts suppliers, service parts groups, and other aftermarket companies to develop the next generation of service technology.

In addition to product development, Permatex is also focused on developing even more extensive support for its product lines and distribution partners with new packaging, bi-lingual clinics and online training for professional and student technicians, product demo videos, category management, expanded website activities, and motorsports sponsorships.

“At Permatex, we continue to deliver products that make caring for cars easier and repairs more reliable. From our performance proven chemicals and shop supplies that simplify maintenance and repair to our innovative appearance and additive products that work better and last longer, Permatex delivers best-in-the-business performance and value. As we get ready for yet another century of quality and innovation, we’d like to thank all of our customers for making Permatex the brand they trust to get the job done right,” notes Robinson.

Permatex is a leading manufacturer, distributor, and marketer of premium chemical products to the automotive maintenance and repair markets. Since 1909, Permatex has been an acknowledged leader in the development of innovative new products and services for the automotive aftermarket. Permatex markets a wide range of products under well-known ITW brand names such as Permatex®, Fast Orange®, No Touch®, NOS®, Spray Nine®, The Right Stuff®, Gel Twist®, PermaPoxy®, Ultra Bond® and Dr Bond®, Ultra Cherry®, Grez-Off®, and Earth Soap®. NOS is a registered trademark of Nitrous Oxide Systems® 2005.

Permatex currently operates in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the U.K. and exports products to more than 85 countries around the world. North American operations include Permatex’s headquarters in Hartford, CT, a state-of-the-art manufacturing, distribution, and technical center located in Solon, OH, and a manufacturing facility in Kansas City, KS. Permatex is a division of ITW (Illinois Tool Works Inc.), a US based, NYSE listed corporation, founded in 1912. ITW is a Fortune 200 diversified manufacturing company.