The Follow A Dream Team

Harry "Jay" Blake, Founder and President

Jay Blake is the founder and president of Follow A Dream. As crew chief of the organization's Alcohol Funny Car , he is the only totally blind crew chief in the worldwide sport of auto racing. Jay's passion for cars and racing extends well back to his youth. He has more than 15 years experience as a professional auto mechanic and more than 30 plus years in drag racing, including as a crew member and crew chief on a Super Comp Dragster racing team. Along with performing the majority of mechanical work, Jay is responsible for the organization's management, operations and community outreach programs.

TAFC Driver-Todd Veney

Todd Veney has been racing since 1995, when he formed his own Alcohol Funny Car team and reached a final in his second start, at the IHRA SpringNationals in Bristol, TN. Advancing to NHRA competition in 2000, he was a finalist in Memphis, Tenn., in his national event debut and eventually earned two more final-round appearances and five in divisional competition driving for other teams. In 2004, Todd followed his lifelong dream of fielding his own NHRA team with his dad, former world champion driver Ken Veney, who was voted one of the Top 50 drivers in NHRA history. Together, they won Todd’s first NHRA title at the 2006 Lucas Oil Series event in Columbus, Ohio. Todd was born in Hollywood, Calif., in 1965 and grew up in Torrance, Calif., and Wadsworth, Ohio. He graduated from The University of Akron with a public-relations degree in 1988 and is a free-lance writer.

Tuner - Tom Howell

As the tuner for Follow A Dream, Tom Howell brings 20 plus years experience as a professional technician and crew chief in drag racing. Tom is responsible for all tuning decisions and data analysis of the racecar, and collaborates with Jay on routine service of the car. Tom won a championship with Don Florence Motorsports and crew chiefed for Paul Femino’s Blue Chip IHRA Funny Car. Tom’s experience also includes working with Marc Rowe Race Cars, and serving as crew chief of super modifieds as well as off-shore racing boats. Tom is self- employed through T. Howell Lettering and holds a degree in graphic arts.

Vice President & Treasurer - James C. Blake

Jim Blake is vice president and treasurer of Follow A Dream. Jim has 28 years of racing experience including multiple top ten finishes in the New England Points Series. In 1987 Jim debuted what would become the World's Quickest Clean Air Dragster, powered by propane. In 1993 Jim was awarded "The Sportsman of the Year Award", by his fellow racers. Jim assists his brother Jay with managing Follow A Dream and is a full-time manager for Eastern Propane & Oil in Danvers, MA.

Lower End Technician-Scott Osborn

Scott is owner and operator of Wide Load Engineering, a company specializing in custom automotive restoration and fabrication service geared towards repair and research and development. Scott joined the Follow A Dream Team in 2004. He graduated with a degree in Welding Engineering from Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, MA.

Clutch-Scott Spencer

In his second year as a member of the Follow A Dream Team, Scott will be assisting with the work on the clutch. An automotive technician from Cape Cod, Scott also works reconditioning vehicles. In his spare time Scott enjoys spending time with his family and friends and going to monster truck shows.

Fluids/Engine-Joe Connelly

Joe discovered his love for all things automotive when he was in middle school. He made the decision to dedicate himself to his passion and graduated from the automotive program at Upper Cape Cod Tech in 2009. Joe decided to take his automotive knowledge a few steps further and went on to earn dual certificates in Diesel and Business Management from Wyotech in Pennsylvania. He continues to follow his dream of crewing on a drag racing team and learning even more about both the sport and industry in general by joining the Follow A Dream Team.

Clutch Assistant-Brandon Wilkinson

As the newest member of the Dream Team, Brandon will be assisting with the clutch work on the car. Brandon is team owner Jay Blake’s stepson and an automotive student at Cape Cod Technical High School. Brandon’s future plans include pursuing a career as an automotive technician. He is also taking classes to become a volunteer firefighter, and enjoys spending time with family & friends and restoring his 1985 Chevy pick up truck.

Crew Member-Ed Parker

Ed is the one guy on the team who could do anyone else’s job-drive the car, build it, tune it, or maintain it. Ed first raced in 1963 and has campaigned numerous cars through the years, the best known of which is the “Cape Codder” Alcohol Funny Car that he currently competes with. Aside from safely transporting Jay’s operation to races and events around the country, he services the car from one end to the other when on the road.

Transport Driver-Charlie Connelly

Always interested in drag racing, Charlie first starting going to New England Dragway in the mid 1970’s and took his son & Follow A Dream crew member Joe to his first drag race in 1999, where he became hooked on the sport too. Charlie is a retired over the road truck driver having spent thirty four years traveling the country, his last fifteen hauling fuel for ExxonMobil. Charlie resides in Plymouth and enjoys hunting & fishing with his free time.

Team Chef - Maura McGonigle

Maura McGonigle has been involved with drag racing for a quarter-century, supporting Jim Blake's Super Comp team and the Jr. Dragsters and bracket cars of children Patricia and Jamie. Maura, 1993 winner of New England Dragway's prestigious Stand By Your Racer award, joined Follow A Dream in 2009 and in 2011 began traveling with the team as Team Chef and Hospitality Coordinator.

Office Manager – Terri Donlon

Terri brings many years of business experience to Follow A Dream, having worked in the corporate sector for most of her professional career. With a background in business administration/client services, Terri provides the support necessary to keep the organization’s office running smoothly.