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Marstons Mills, MA – The streak of three straight finals appearances for Follow A Dream, Incorporated (“FAD”) and it’s Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Marty Nothstein came to an end this past weekend at the NHRA SuperNationals at Englishtown, New Jersey. However, that was the only bad news for the team, which had a great qualifying session on Friday to go along with a front page feature in the New York Times Sports Section on Sunday.
FAD and Nothstein set team and personal ET and speed records on the way to the second qualifying spot. On the first qualifying run on Friday, Nothstein and the Permatex/Wynn’s/Texas Roadhouse 2008 Chevrolet Impala SS ran a 5.566 with a speed of 261.72 miles per hour.
“It’s a thing of beauty when all things come together like on that first qualifying run,” said FAD team owner Jay Blake, who is the only totally blind crew chief in motor sports. “The team has really responded to the early season challenges. Remember this was only the fifth race of the year for this team that began the season with a new car, new driver, new tuner and several new crew members. My hats off to everyone for putting together a perfect run.”
After wins over John Headley in the opening round of eliminations and DJ Cox in the quarterfinals, Nothstein, the former Olympic Gold Medalist lost to national season points leader Mickey Ferro in the semifinals.
“That was a tough loss,” said Blake. “The car came off the line nicely, but an electrical problem with the shift light caused us problems. That being said, it was a great weekend that gave us lots of things to build on going to next weekend’s event in Norwalk, Ohio.”
“Overall I’m really happy with the weekend,” said Nothstein. “I’m happy with our great qualifying run, and excited to know that we had a car that could have gotten back to a fourth straight final. We can build on what we learned for next weekend.”
Follow A Dream heads to Norwalk, Ohio for the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals June 26-29, 2008.
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. For more information go to followadream.org - Follow A Dream Drag Racing and Self Determination.
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.
FOLLOW A DREAM REACHES TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR SEMIFINALS AT NHRA SUPERNATIONALS AT ENGLISHTOWN
Marstons Mills, MA – The streak of three straight finals appearances for Follow A Dream, Incorporated (“FAD”) and it’s Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Marty Nothstein came to an end this past weekend at the NHRA SuperNationals at Englishtown, New Jersey. However, that was the only bad news for the team, which had a great qualifying session on Friday to go along with a front page feature in the New York Times Sports Section on Sunday.
FAD and Nothstein set team and personal ET and speed records on the way to the second qualifying spot. On the first qualifying run on Friday, Nothstein and the Permatex/Wynn’s/Texas Roadhouse 2008 Chevrolet Impala SS ran a 5.566 with a speed of 261.72 miles per hour.
“It’s a thing of beauty when all things come together like on that first qualifying run,” said FAD team owner Jay Blake, who is the only totally blind crew chief in motor sports. “The team has really responded to the early season challenges. Remember this was only the fifth race of the year for this team that began the season with a new car, new driver, new tuner and several new crew members. My hats off to everyone for putting together a perfect run.”
After wins over John Headley in the opening round of eliminations and DJ Cox in the quarterfinals, Nothstein, the former Olympic Gold Medalist lost to national season points leader Mickey Ferro in the semifinals.
“That was a tough loss,” said Blake. “The car came off the line nicely, but an electrical problem with the shift light caused us problems. That being said, it was a great weekend that gave us lots of things to build on going to next weekend’s event in Norwalk, Ohio.”
“Overall I’m really happy with the weekend,” said Nothstein. “I’m happy with our great qualifying run, and excited to know that we had a car that could have gotten back to a fourth straight final. We can build on what we learned for next weekend.”
Follow A Dream heads to Norwalk, Ohio for the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals June 26-29, 2008.
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. For more information go to followadream.org - Follow A Dream Drag Racing and Self Determination.
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.
