Azusa, Calif. — Wynn's, a division of Illinois Tool Works, Inc., headquartered in Azusa, Calif., announced recently that it has signed an additional two-year contract as co-sponsor of Jay Blake's inspirational Follow A Dream, Inc. race team. Wynn's began co-sponsoring Blake's team in 2007, joining Permatex (another Illinois Tool Works company). Later in the season last year, Miller Electric, also an ITW company, jumped on board as a co-sponsor.
Follow A Dream was founded in 1999 by Jay Blake, who was working as head mechanic for a transportation company when he was blinded in an industrial accident. While enrolled in an intensive rehabilitation program, Blake began to follow his dream: owning a professional auto racing team. Turning his dream into a reality, Jay combined his renewed participation in drag racing with his desire to spread his true-life success by inspiring others, both with and without disabilities, to accomplish their goals through the power of positive thinking and self-determination.
"Jay is an incredible inspiration to everyone inside and outside the racing community," said Gerry Miles, Wynn's general manager. "We're extremely proud to continue our co-sponsorship of his historic journey."
The Wynn's-supported Follow A Dream funny car is a 2000 Dodge Avenger, powered by a 526-cubic-inch Hemi engine that produces more than 3,000 horsepower. The car is driven by Dave Ray. For more information about the foundation, log on to www.followadream.org.
During the 2008 racing season, the team plans to participate in 11 races, a combination of six divisional and five national events. The national events include the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals (Commerce, Ga.), NHRA Supernationals (Englishtown, N.J.), Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals (Norwalk, Ohio), Toyo Tires NHRA Nationals (Mohnton, Pa.), and the O'Reilly NHRA Fall Nationals (Ennis, Texas).
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.wynnsforyourcar.com.
2008 Follow A Dream Racing Schedule:
| April 24-27 | Atlanta Dragway Commerce, Ga. |
Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals |
| May 2-4 | Virginia Motorsports Park Div. 1 Petersburg, VA |
Div. 1 Drag Racing Series |
| May 23-25 | Maple Grove Raceway 1 Mohnton, PA |
Div. 1 Drag Racing Series |
| June 13-15 | Atco Raceway Atco, NJ |
Div. 1 Drag Racing Series |
| June 19-22 | Old Bridge Township Raceway Park Englishtown, NJ |
NHRA Supernationals |
| June 26-29 | Norwalk Raceway Park Norwalk, OH |
Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals |
| July 4-6 | Lebanon Valley Dragway W. Lebanon, NY |
Div. 1 Drag Racing Series |
| August 14-17 | Maple Grove Raceway Mohnton, PA |
Toyo Tires NHRA Nationals |
| August 22-24 | Cecil County Dragway Rising Sun, Md. |
Div. 1 Drag Racing Series |
| September 5-7 | Old Bridge Township Raceway Park Englishtown, NJ |
Div. 1 Drag Racing Series |
| September 18-21 | Texas Motorplex Ennis, Texas |
O'Reilly NHRA Fall Nationals |
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