Hope all of the mothers in the Follow A Dream family had an awesome day!!
Jim and I took our mom Mary out to dinner and just enjoyed the day. Just a nice day all around with my wife Ann and the kids!
Jay
May 11, 2008
May 8, 2008
Speech at Barnstable Middle School
Evening everyone!
Resting right now after an after-school speaking engagement to students at Barnstable Middle School in Hyannis.
I always come away from talks with kids with a good feeling. It's invigorating to tell kids that they don't have to wait for bad things to happen before they start working toward their future goals.
I have two school speeches tomorrow, so I'm going to get some rest. Thanks to everyone for reading.
Jay
Resting right now after an after-school speaking engagement to students at Barnstable Middle School in Hyannis.
I always come away from talks with kids with a good feeling. It's invigorating to tell kids that they don't have to wait for bad things to happen before they start working toward their future goals.
I have two school speeches tomorrow, so I'm going to get some rest. Thanks to everyone for reading.
Jay
May 7, 2008
I Get To Finally Sleep in My Own Bed!!
What a road trip!!
I'm home from a long two weeks on the road, but it was worth every minute of it!
The speech for Permatex at the Automotive Sales Council went very well this morning. With the help of Tony Battaglia of Permatex I was able to catch an earlier flight and get home to see the wife and kids sooner than I thought, which puts a smile on my face.
My daughter Mary Beth picked me up from the airport and I was able to get to my step daughter's Spring Concert at school, so needless to say, I'm a happy guy as I get ready to settle down for a nice evening in my own bed.
Talk to you tomorrow,
Jay
I'm home from a long two weeks on the road, but it was worth every minute of it!
The speech for Permatex at the Automotive Sales Council went very well this morning. With the help of Tony Battaglia of Permatex I was able to catch an earlier flight and get home to see the wife and kids sooner than I thought, which puts a smile on my face.
My daughter Mary Beth picked me up from the airport and I was able to get to my step daughter's Spring Concert at school, so needless to say, I'm a happy guy as I get ready to settle down for a nice evening in my own bed.
Talk to you tomorrow,
Jay
May 6, 2008
Speaking in St. Petersburg, FL
Hi Everyone,
It's wonderful in Florida! Got up early for my speech at the Automotive Sales Council on behalf of Permatex. This is the first of several speeches this week. I'll be back on the Cape talking to a couple of schools on Thursday and Friday.
In the meantime, yesterday was rather uneventful. No delays with my flight, which is always nice. Listened to a Blues Brother cover band in the hotel last night and got a good night's sleep.
Wanted to thank Joe Loomis and Mike Bradford for checking in on the blog.....keep the comments coming. Joe and Shannon, can't wait for Reading!! I feel that it's going to be a great weekend for the team, because that's Marty's home track.
Jay
It's wonderful in Florida! Got up early for my speech at the Automotive Sales Council on behalf of Permatex. This is the first of several speeches this week. I'll be back on the Cape talking to a couple of schools on Thursday and Friday.
In the meantime, yesterday was rather uneventful. No delays with my flight, which is always nice. Listened to a Blues Brother cover band in the hotel last night and got a good night's sleep.
Wanted to thank Joe Loomis and Mike Bradford for checking in on the blog.....keep the comments coming. Joe and Shannon, can't wait for Reading!! I feel that it's going to be a great weekend for the team, because that's Marty's home track.
Jay
May 4, 2008
Chillin in VA
Hi Everyone,
The car is packed up and heading back to Cape Cod, and I'm just sitting here at a hotel getting ready for my flight tomorrow to Florida for my speaking engagement on behalf of Permatex in St. Petersburg at the Automotive Sales Council meeting on Tuesday.
I'm just so proud of the team this weekend. We came very close to finding the winner's circle. Thanks to all of the sponsors, I can feel a real good season coming together.
My good friend and foe Frank Manzo continues to have Lady Luck smiling on him. After we made sure he was ok after the race, I shook his hand, and gave him a little good natured ribbing! Our little $2 part that failed is nothing compared to a new motor!!
Talk to you tomorrow,
Jay
P.S. Pat thanks for checking out the blog...hope all is well with you. And for others checking out the blog, please feel free to make comments.
The car is packed up and heading back to Cape Cod, and I'm just sitting here at a hotel getting ready for my flight tomorrow to Florida for my speaking engagement on behalf of Permatex in St. Petersburg at the Automotive Sales Council meeting on Tuesday.
I'm just so proud of the team this weekend. We came very close to finding the winner's circle. Thanks to all of the sponsors, I can feel a real good season coming together.
My good friend and foe Frank Manzo continues to have Lady Luck smiling on him. After we made sure he was ok after the race, I shook his hand, and gave him a little good natured ribbing! Our little $2 part that failed is nothing compared to a new motor!!
Talk to you tomorrow,
Jay
P.S. Pat thanks for checking out the blog...hope all is well with you. And for others checking out the blog, please feel free to make comments.
Virginia Day 2...Second Place
Ahh...what could have been!!
We made the finals against defending champ Frank Manzo, but a $2 part on the throttle linkage on Permatex/Wynn's/Texas Roadhouse 2008 Chevrolet Impala SS Top Alcohol Funny Car broke in the finals... causing the throttle linkage not to work and the car shut-off about 150 feet down the track. That aside, we're very happy with the second place finish. It's just a little disappointing because Frank's car also broke on the run...but hey, that's racing!
Overall, great weekend for the team!!
We had an awesome run (5.662/254.62) in the semis. This car is still new...five passes this week, and four last week in Atlanta. Now we've got a couple of weeks to prepare for the race in Reading, which I know is going to be a great weekend, because that's Marty's home track and the one that holds special meaning to me, because it's really where I decided to start following my dream of owning a drag race team.
Gonna work on the car now and I'll talk to everyone tomorrow.
Jay
We made the finals against defending champ Frank Manzo, but a $2 part on the throttle linkage on Permatex/Wynn's/Texas Roadhouse 2008 Chevrolet Impala SS Top Alcohol Funny Car broke in the finals... causing the throttle linkage not to work and the car shut-off about 150 feet down the track. That aside, we're very happy with the second place finish. It's just a little disappointing because Frank's car also broke on the run...but hey, that's racing!
Overall, great weekend for the team!!
We had an awesome run (5.662/254.62) in the semis. This car is still new...five passes this week, and four last week in Atlanta. Now we've got a couple of weeks to prepare for the race in Reading, which I know is going to be a great weekend, because that's Marty's home track and the one that holds special meaning to me, because it's really where I decided to start following my dream of owning a drag race team.
Gonna work on the car now and I'll talk to everyone tomorrow.
Jay
May 3, 2008
Virginia Day 2...Semis
Man...that one felt real good. Marty ran a 5.662/254.62 to beat Schuster. Now it's time for old friend and foe Frank Manzo in the finals.
Virginia Day 2...Quarterfinals
Sometimes...someone smiles on you and that's what happened in the first round of eliminations.
We're moving on...even though we missed on the tune-up...Marty ran a 5.924/252.10...Scott McNiece red-lighted so we're on to the semis to meet Frank Schuster.
Time to go thrash.
We're moving on...even though we missed on the tune-up...Marty ran a 5.924/252.10...Scott McNiece red-lighted so we're on to the semis to meet Frank Schuster.
Time to go thrash.
May 2, 2008
Virginia Day 1
Kudos to everyone for a job well done here in Virginia!!
Man, the team is really working its tail off to get this beautiful brand new 2008 Pro Start Chevrolet Impala SS faster and faster.
We're qualified second heading into tomorrow's eliminations, and I'm cautiously optimistic heading into Saturday.
I'm got tip my hat to my brother Jim and the rest of the crew for the improvements they made since last week's season opener in Atlanta. We got quicker each time down the track today. First run was a 5.744/243.33 and then Marty ran a 5.725/256.65. The car shook off the line otherwise it could be been a very good run.
We're taking baby steps to make sure things are safe. Remember this is a new motor that we put in after we burned a piston last Saturday. Thanks to our great sponsors we're able to do things it takes to be an excellent race team. The chute problems we had last week have been taken care of, and every thing worked well today.
This Permatex/Wynn's/Texas Roadhouse 2008 Chevrolet Impala SS Top Alcohol Funny Car is going straight as an arrow down the track, and I'm ready to get after things tomorrow.
Jay
Man, the team is really working its tail off to get this beautiful brand new 2008 Pro Start Chevrolet Impala SS faster and faster.
We're qualified second heading into tomorrow's eliminations, and I'm cautiously optimistic heading into Saturday.
I'm got tip my hat to my brother Jim and the rest of the crew for the improvements they made since last week's season opener in Atlanta. We got quicker each time down the track today. First run was a 5.744/243.33 and then Marty ran a 5.725/256.65. The car shook off the line otherwise it could be been a very good run.
We're taking baby steps to make sure things are safe. Remember this is a new motor that we put in after we burned a piston last Saturday. Thanks to our great sponsors we're able to do things it takes to be an excellent race team. The chute problems we had last week have been taken care of, and every thing worked well today.
This Permatex/Wynn's/Texas Roadhouse 2008 Chevrolet Impala SS Top Alcohol Funny Car is going straight as an arrow down the track, and I'm ready to get after things tomorrow.
Jay
Virginia Is For Racing
Well, we're at Virginia Motorsports Park and ready to rock and roll for this weeke's Northeast Division I opener. Today, Eddie and I spent the day getting supplies and now we're working on getting everything set-up. Probably will be working on the set-up until 10 PM tonight.
Marty's driving down. Our first qualifying run is set for 3 PM Friday afternoon.
We've never had great success here. Weather's always been a little iffy.
Talk to you tomorrow after the run.
Jay
Marty's driving down. Our first qualifying run is set for 3 PM Friday afternoon.
We've never had great success here. Weather's always been a little iffy.
Talk to you tomorrow after the run.
Jay
April 30, 2008
Still in Tennessee at WildSide...getting the hauler in-shape for our first division race this weekend in Virginia.
What I love about WildSide is they really work hard to meet their customer's needs.
We'll be pulling out of Franklin later today and heading to Virginia. Ah, life on the road. This a two-week odyssey down south has been made a little more enjoyable with our new hauler.
Talk to you tomorrow,
Jay
What I love about WildSide is they really work hard to meet their customer's needs.
We'll be pulling out of Franklin later today and heading to Virginia. Ah, life on the road. This a two-week odyssey down south has been made a little more enjoyable with our new hauler.
Talk to you tomorrow,
Jay
April 28, 2008
Follow A Dream Featured on FOX 5 Atlanta
Morning everyone,
As I mentioned on Thursday, we were interview by Buck Lanford of FOX 5 Atlanta. The story ran Sunday night and you can check out the story by clicking here.
More later today, we're heading to Franklin, Tennessee.
Jay
P.S. After the interview, the reporter did confirm that I look like George Clooney!! LOL. You'll see what I mean.
As I mentioned on Thursday, we were interview by Buck Lanford of FOX 5 Atlanta. The story ran Sunday night and you can check out the story by clicking here.
More later today, we're heading to Franklin, Tennessee.
Jay
P.S. After the interview, the reporter did confirm that I look like George Clooney!! LOL. You'll see what I mean.
April 27, 2008
Southern Nationals Day 4
Well, not the day you want...race day and we're hear putting things back together getting ready for next week's Division 1 race in Virginia.
Put in a new motor today, and getting ready to pull out of Commerce.
We'll hit the road tomorrow and head to Franklin, Tennessee to WildSide Trailers to fix a few things to our liking.
Talk to you tomorrow.
Jay
Put in a new motor today, and getting ready to pull out of Commerce.
We'll hit the road tomorrow and head to Franklin, Tennessee to WildSide Trailers to fix a few things to our liking.
Talk to you tomorrow.
Jay
April 26, 2008
Southern Nationals Day 3
Hi everyone,
Well we're done for the weekend. Obviously we're disappointed that we didn't win, but we learned a lot about the new 2008 Pro Start Chevy Impala SS.
First, the good news. Marty's third qualifying run was an improvement. He ran a 5.810/249.76, which was our best of the weekend. It bumped us to 13th position, but we ended up where we started in 14th, which meant we would meet Steve Harker in Round 1 of eliminations.
With the help of Randy Anderson, who helped us throughout the weekend, the Permatex/Wynn's/Texas Roadhouse team did a great job of preparing the car for the first round run. Marty did a good job with his best run of the weekend 5.796, but it wasn't enough as Harker ran a 5.589.
We did burn a #8 piston, which means we have some work to do. Probably be at the track until midnight!!
Great job by the entire team, and proud of my brother Jim, who as our new tuner did a great job throughout the weekend.
Talk to you tomorrow,
Jay
Well we're done for the weekend. Obviously we're disappointed that we didn't win, but we learned a lot about the new 2008 Pro Start Chevy Impala SS.
First, the good news. Marty's third qualifying run was an improvement. He ran a 5.810/249.76, which was our best of the weekend. It bumped us to 13th position, but we ended up where we started in 14th, which meant we would meet Steve Harker in Round 1 of eliminations.
With the help of Randy Anderson, who helped us throughout the weekend, the Permatex/Wynn's/Texas Roadhouse team did a great job of preparing the car for the first round run. Marty did a good job with his best run of the weekend 5.796, but it wasn't enough as Harker ran a 5.589.
We did burn a #8 piston, which means we have some work to do. Probably be at the track until midnight!!
Great job by the entire team, and proud of my brother Jim, who as our new tuner did a great job throughout the weekend.
Talk to you tomorrow,
Jay
April 25, 2008
Southern Nationals Day 2
We're 14th after two rounds of qualifying that really tested the entire team.
I was happy with the first run of 5.954/244.38 MPH. We were 10th the run. The car was fat, which was okay because we were just looking for a benchmark and wanted to be safe on the run.
We tried to step it up in the second round, but we just missed it. Marty ran a 5.998 (236.34 MPH), which dropped us back to 14 heading into our final qualifying Saturday at noon.
The first qualifying run came under very sunny condition, but the afternoon came after a cool down caused by cloud cover, but that didn't make a difference in the run.
Not to make excuses, but we're really working through the issues of everything being new. We're working late into the night to get ready for Saturday.
Frank Manzo is at the top of qualifying after putting up a 5.558/262.54.
Talk to you tomorrow,
Jay
Follow A Dream Article in Athens Banner-Herald
Good morning,
Ready to head to the track. Click here to read our feature in Friday's edition of the Athen's Banner-Herald. We made the front page of the paper!!
I'll be blogging about qualifying later today.
Jay
April 24, 2008
Southern Nationals - Day 1
Ah, the adrenaline is pumping now!!
It's 9 PM EST and we're all working hard to work out the little things to make sure we're ready for our first qualifying run at noon on Friday. There have been challenges today, just getting the little glitches fixed. Remember, we've changed just about everything there is to change during the off-season.
The new trailer is awesome!!
Aside from getting things together, I also did two media interviews today. One with Roger Clarkson, who will be doing a feature Friday in the Athens Banner-Herald. We'll put up a link for that story tomorrow, plus on Saturday FOX 5 Atlanta will air a feature on us.
No time to rest, gotta get back to the car. We'll be at the track tomorrow at 7:30 AM.
Keep coming back for updates.
Here's to a great start to the season!! Thanks to all that got us to this point!!
Jay
April 23, 2008
Catchin' Up
Hey Everybody, sorry it's been so long since we've blogged. It's been an absolute crazy time getting ready to head out to Atlanta to start our season. More details to follow, but we're headed to Atlanta pulling a brand new Wildside trailer and carrying a brand new Pro Start Chevrolet Impala SS Funny Car. We took the delivery of everything last Wednesday and nobody has slept much since. Went up to Lebanon Valley on Monday for a quick burnout and swapping feet. The car left the starting line well and went straight.
Want to thank Lebanon Valley for their hospitality and track prep, they were awesome and we look forward to testing there again soon!
There will be pictures and more info up on the blog soon, and I don't mean three months from now either-I mean soon! We'll get the hang of this so keep checking in.
Thanks
Jay
Want to thank Lebanon Valley for their hospitality and track prep, they were awesome and we look forward to testing there again soon!
There will be pictures and more info up on the blog soon, and I don't mean three months from now either-I mean soon! We'll get the hang of this so keep checking in.
Thanks
Jay
April 17, 2008
New Trailer
Hey,
Check out the pictures of the new hauler fresh from WildSide in Franklin, Tennessee. Can feel the juices really start to flow for Atlanta now!!
Jay
Check out the pictures of the new hauler fresh from WildSide in Franklin, Tennessee. Can feel the juices really start to flow for Atlanta now!!
Jay
April 11, 2008
April 9, 2008
New Car!!
Hi Everyone,
Haven't blogged in a while, but that's because I've been crazy busy getting ready for the 2008 season that opens later this month at the Southern Nationals outside of Atlanta.
But today, I've got great news!
Heading to Asbury, New Jersey to pick-up the chassis to our new Top Alcohol Funny Car!! Yes, it will be announced with a news release later this week, but for everyone that follows my blog, I wanted you to know first.
Now you know why I've been so quiet here!!
Building the new 2008 Chevrolet Impala SS Top Alcohol Funny Car and getting it ready for my new driver Marty Nothstein has kept me pretty busy!!
Please keep coming back to the site daily because I'm going to be offering updates every day leading up to Atlanta.
Have a Great Day!!
Jay
February 19, 2008
Hello Friends
Hello Everyone on the web-
I'm back at the shop and things are busy, lots of office work. Got engines apart and getting cranks checked. Did a radio interview today with Jason Rufo at Audio Journal for his show called Out of Sight, a radio talk show which airs twice monthly focusing on information of interest to the sight impaired community. Will let you all know when I get an airtime.
Stay tuned for another possible announcement toward the end of this week-we'll see!
Talk soon,
Jay
I'm back at the shop and things are busy, lots of office work. Got engines apart and getting cranks checked. Did a radio interview today with Jason Rufo at Audio Journal for his show called Out of Sight, a radio talk show which airs twice monthly focusing on information of interest to the sight impaired community. Will let you all know when I get an airtime.
Stay tuned for another possible announcement toward the end of this week-we'll see!
Talk soon,
Jay
February 11, 2008
San Francisco Trip
Hello Friends,
Hanging out at the airport in San Francisco waiting to fly home. Spent the weekend with Wynn's at the NADA convention. All went well and enjoyed an evening out on Saturday with the folks from Wynn's. Had dinner at Sinbad's on Fisherman's Wharf. Lots of fun and good conversation.
Spent last night in the room, packing and watching eliminations from Pomona. Can't wait to get back to racing. Will be working at the shop putting all the pieces together to get the season under way when I return tomorrow.
Temperatures were in the 60's all weekend here. My body should be in for a real shock when we land in Boston tonight, more like the frozen tundra from what I hear. Spring can't get here soon enough!
Type at you later,
Jay
Hanging out at the airport in San Francisco waiting to fly home. Spent the weekend with Wynn's at the NADA convention. All went well and enjoyed an evening out on Saturday with the folks from Wynn's. Had dinner at Sinbad's on Fisherman's Wharf. Lots of fun and good conversation.
Spent last night in the room, packing and watching eliminations from Pomona. Can't wait to get back to racing. Will be working at the shop putting all the pieces together to get the season under way when I return tomorrow.
Temperatures were in the 60's all weekend here. My body should be in for a real shock when we land in Boston tonight, more like the frozen tundra from what I hear. Spring can't get here soon enough!
Type at you later,
Jay
February 7, 2008
Off to San Francisco
Hey Everybody!
I'm getting ready to head out to San Francisco tomorrow for the NADA Convention with Wynn's and Big Daddy. Show runs Feb. 9-12 @ the Moscone Convention Center. There has been some chatter about the latest press release regarding the driver change at Follow A Dream for 2008. Don't think for a minute that Dave Ray and I are at odds with each other or anything even close to that. Dave, Irene, Angie, & Chris are some of the nicest people I've ever met and I've been honored to work with them. The Ray family has helped Follow A Dream become what it is today and I truly count them all among my friends.
Marty and I have aspirations to step up to Nitro. Not today, not tomorrow, but that's the goal we're working towards. All in good time!
Things are really crazy, all kinds of stuff going on, more news about Follow A Dream coming soon so, please stay tuned and keep checking in.
I'm jealous of all the folks out in Pomona but wish them all the best of luck as the 2008 season gets under way.
Stay Tuned,
Jay
I'm getting ready to head out to San Francisco tomorrow for the NADA Convention with Wynn's and Big Daddy. Show runs Feb. 9-12 @ the Moscone Convention Center. There has been some chatter about the latest press release regarding the driver change at Follow A Dream for 2008. Don't think for a minute that Dave Ray and I are at odds with each other or anything even close to that. Dave, Irene, Angie, & Chris are some of the nicest people I've ever met and I've been honored to work with them. The Ray family has helped Follow A Dream become what it is today and I truly count them all among my friends.
Marty and I have aspirations to step up to Nitro. Not today, not tomorrow, but that's the goal we're working towards. All in good time!
Things are really crazy, all kinds of stuff going on, more news about Follow A Dream coming soon so, please stay tuned and keep checking in.
I'm jealous of all the folks out in Pomona but wish them all the best of luck as the 2008 season gets under way.
Stay Tuned,
Jay
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
