Follow A Dream, Inc.

What Follow A Dream, Inc. does

Follow A Dream, Inc. is a Massachusetts-based non-profit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1999 by Jay Blake, who lost his vision in a 1997 industrial accident and subsequently became the only totally blind crew chief in motorsports. The organization campaigns a Nitro Funny Car in the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), a supercharged nitromethane-burning machine producing over 11,000 horsepower and capable of exceeding 300 mph from a standstill, while also fielding a Super Comp Dragster at New England Dragway. In 2025 the team escalated from the Top Alcohol Funny Car class (retired to a show car after 2012 and 2017 NHRA East Region Championships) into the Nitro Funny Car category and added an IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series program, the latter of which was truncated in 2026 by event cancellations.

The business model layers four revenue streams on top of a motorsports platform. Corporate marketing partnerships with 15+ automotive aftermarket brands (including Permatex for over 15 years, plus Miller Welds, NGK, Mechanix Wear, AutoMeter, Mahle, ARP, Safety-Kleen, Scott, Goodson, Spray Nine, Fast Orange, HTC Racing, and Shop Crane) provide cash and in-kind product support in exchange for vehicle and digital visibility. Individual tax-deductible donations are collected via PayPal, a small direct-to-consumer merchandise shop sells branded apparel and retired-car parts at $20–$30, and founder Jay Blake delivers paid motivational speaking engagements at schools, youth groups, corporate events, healthcare facilities, and military bases. The organization is privately controlled by the Blake family — Jay as President/Crew Chief, Jim C. Blake as Vice President/Treasurer, and Rachel McMahon leading marketing, development, and operations — with no parent company, venture backing, or institutional investment.

Name

Follow A Dream, Inc.

Legal name

Follow A Dream, Inc.

Website

https://followadream.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Follow A Dream, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 1999 that fields an NHRA Nitro Funny Car driven by a blind crew chief, delivers motivational speaking engagements, and funds operations through corporate sponsorships, donations, merchandise, and speaking fees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Marstons Mills

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Marketing Partnerships and Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors provide financial and product support in exchange for brand visibility on the racing team, vehicles, and marketing materials. Sponsors include automotive aftermarket brands like Permatex, Miller Welds, and others.
2. Speaking Engagements: Jay Blake provides motivational speaking services at educational institutions, corporate events, and community organizations, customized to inspire audiences about positive thinking, education, and pursuing dreams.
3. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individual supporters who receive newsletters and special event invitations. The organization is a 501(c)(3) non-profit.
4. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including Nitro Funny Car T-Shirts ($30) and Top Alcohol Funny Car Connecting Rods ($20) through the organization's online shop.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Follow A Dream is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that campaigns a Nitro Funny Car in the NHRA, supported by a Super Comp Dragster and a retired Top Alcohol Funny Car converted to a show car. Alongside its racing program, the organization delivers motivational speaking engagements on positive thinking, self-determination, and teamwork, and offers corporate marketing partnership/sponsorship programs and branded merchandise.

Product overview

Follow A Dream, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization established in 1999 that operates as a competitive drag racing team combined with a motivational speaking organization. The company campaigns a Nitro Funny Car in the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), representing the pinnacle of their racing program. Previously, the team competed with a Top Alcohol Funny Car (now retired and converted to a show car) and began with a Super Comp Dragster. Beyond racing, the organization offers motivational speaking engagements delivered by founder Jay Blake, including educational presentations for students and corporate team-building sessions. The company also operates marketing partnership programs for sponsors and maintains an online merchandise shop selling branded apparel and authentic racing parts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Nitro Funny Car Racing Program NHRA Nitro Funny Car racing program campaigned by Follow A Dream, powered by a supercharged nitromethane-burning engine producing over 11,000 horsepower and capable of accelerating from standstill to over 300 mph. Currently the team's primary competitive vehicle.
• Motivational Speaking Engagements Paid keynote and assembly presentations delivered by founder Jay Blake, including the '5 Tools for Life Success' program, customized for schools, youth groups, corporate audiences, healthcare facilities, and military bases. Focus areas are positive thinking, self-determination, teamwork, and pursuing dreams.
• Marketing Partnership Programs Corporate sponsorship programs offering brand visibility on racing vehicles, websites, speaking events, and community outreach. Includes racing partner programs, speaking event sponsorships, and community outreach partnerships tailored to sponsor marketing objectives.
• Top Alcohol Funny Car Show Car Experience Retired championship-winning Top Alcohol Funny Car converted into an interactive show car used for speaking engagements and community outreach, allowing audiences to explore the cockpit and sit in the driver's seat.
• Nitro Funny Car T-Shirt Branded merchandise T-shirt featuring the Follow A Dream Nitro Funny Car with logo on the left chest and a large back print of the Nitro Funny Car. Priced at $30.
• Top Alcohol Funny Car Connecting Rod Authentic connecting rod collectible from the retired championship-winning Top Alcohol Funny Car, sold as memorabilia through the online shop. Priced at $20.

Quantifiable outcome

• 70% of NHRA fans are 'likely to buy a sponsor's advertised product'
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• ScottcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerScott Brand provides product sponsorship, appearing on the Follow A Dream sponsor carousel with their DIY and shop towel products featured on the organization's website and racing vehicles.
• HTC RacingcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHTC Racing is a racing-focused partner supporting the Follow A Dream team with their logo displayed prominently on the sponsor carousel and racing program.
• Mechanix WearcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMechanix Wear provides work gloves and safety equipment for the racing crew, with their logo featured on the Follow A Dream website as a supporting sponsor.
• Fast OrangecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFast Orange hand cleaner and skincare products sponsor the team, appearing on the sponsor carousel across multiple pages of the Follow A Dream website.
• Spray NinecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSpray Nine cleaning products sponsor the racing team, with consistent visibility on the Follow A Dream website sponsor carousel.
• GoodsoncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGoodson tools and equipment sponsor the team, featured on the sponsor carousel as part of the Follow A Dream marketing partnership program.
• NGKcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNGK Spark Plugs provides ignition products for the racing program, appearing on the sponsor carousel as a key marketing partner.
• Miller WeldscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMiller Electric welding equipment sponsor the team, with their logo featured on the Follow A Dream website as a major sponsor supporting the racing operation.
• PermatexflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPermatex was the primary sponsor partner for over 15 years, one of the longest-standing partnerships in Follow A Dream history supporting the racing program with automotive adhesives and sealants.
• Safety-KleencoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSafety-Kleen provides parts cleaning and environmental services for the racing operation, featured as a sponsor on the Follow A Dream website.
• AutoMetercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAutoMeter gauges and instrumentation sponsor the team, with their products featured on the sponsor carousel supporting the racing operation.
• Shop CraneminorGTM or Marketing PartnerShop Crane lifting equipment sponsor featured on the website, supporting the shop operations with their products.
• MahlecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMahle automotive parts sponsor the team, appearing on the sponsor carousel as part of the Follow A Dream marketing partnership network.
• ARPcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerARP fasteners and hardware sponsor the racing team, featured on the Follow A Dream website sponsor carousel supporting the operation.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Alexis DeJoria Racing: NHRA Funny Car team with corporate sponsors and a personal-brand-centered marketing approach. Comparable as a personality-driven NHRA Funny Car team with similar marketing and merchandise channels.
• Cruz Pedregon Racing: Two-time NHRA Funny Car champion operating a single-car team with a strong sponsor portfolio. Comparable as an independently operated NHRA Funny Car team with branded merchandise and partnership programs.
• John Force Racing: Multi-car NHRA Funny Car team and one of the most decorated organizations in the sport. Directly comparable as a competitive NHRA Funny Car team operating with multiple sponsors and crew members.
• Kalitta Motorsports: NHRA team campaigning Top Fuel and Funny Car entries with deep automotive aftermarket sponsor relationships. Comparable as a multi-car NHRA team with similar corporate-partner profile.
• Don Schumacher Racing: One of the largest multi-car NHRA teams, competing across Top Fuel and Funny Car categories. Comparable in NHRA Funny Car competition, sponsor portfolio structure, and crew-based operation.
• Tony Schumacher Racing: NHRA Top Fuel and Funny Car team with a multi-driver, multi-sponsor structure. Comparable as an NHRA team operating at the top tier with corporate sponsorship partnerships.
• Matt Hagan Racing: NHRA Funny Car team operated by a single driver with major corporate sponsors. Comparable in NHRA Funny Car competition and sponsorship-driven business model.
• Bob Glidden Racing: Legendary NHRA Pro Stock team legacy organization. Comparable as a historic NHRA racing team with deep technical and crew expertise.

Others

• The NASCAR Foundation: Non-profit charitable arm of NASCAR supporting education and community programs. Comparable as a motorsports-themed non-profit that uses racing visibility to drive donations and community engagement.
• Speedway Children's Charities: Non-profit foundation operating within motorsports to raise funds for children in need. Comparable as a motorsports-aligned non-profit using racing as a vehicle for charitable mission delivery.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@jayblake749
• Facebookfacebook.com/FollowADreamRacing
• Instagraminstagram.com/followadreamracing
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/follow-a-dream-inc.

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Follow A Dream, Inc.