Johanna Long Claims Strong Top-Five Finish in Nashville

Pensacola driver on a roll as season begins to wind down

PENSACOLA, FL (August 25, 2009) – Johanna Long and the #10 Panhandle Motorsports Super Late Model team have been on a roll as of late, with a series of top-five finishes at a number of challenging tracks. Long added to that list of quality finishes on Sunday afternoon in a shootout at the CRA Super Series event at the Fairgrounds Speedway in Nashville.

There were 40 of the nation’s best Super Late Model drivers on hand in the home of country music, including the Pensacola, Florida, native who is in her second season of Super Late Model competition. The five-eighth mile speedway is a favorite among many drivers in the country, including Long who loves racing

on its high banks.

“I love going to that racetrack; it’s one of my favorite racetracks.  Every time we go there I’m really excited.  And Nashville is a fun place to visit too,” said Long.

Similar feelings amongst the other competitors were clear, as the event was stacked full of talent from top to bottom, including NASCAR star Kyle Busch.

Long’s team unloaded off the truck hooked up, timing 12^th fastest in the first two practice sessions.  Her team continued to work hard in practice to dial in the #10 Chevrolet, moving up to the ninth spot in final practice.

“We were working on little things with the car, nothing drastic.  More seat time, and different lines.  When I went out to qualifying, I was thinking, ‘oh gosh, I’m not going to make the top 20.’”

Drawing the last pill in the qualifying order, Long knew exactly what she had to run to be locked into the starting lineup, and she didn’t disappoint, qualifying fifth.  The five car inversion then put Long on the pole for the 150-lap event, alongside defending series champion Scott Hantz – who eventually won the event.

“We were just starting the race, just saving my tires, and Hantz just took off.  I was just trying to save my tires.  The car got tighter and tighter, but we managed to finish fifth.  I love racing with CRA; they have the best group of drivers.  You know you’re going to be raced clean, but hard.”

Long and the Panhandle Motorsports team were pleased with the great effort at the storied Tennessee State Fairgrounds, a track that she has learned to love.

The team will next visit the Winchester Speedway with the CRA Super Series on Labor Day Weekend, in preparation for one of the biggest Super Late Model races of the year - the Winchester 400 on October 18^th.