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Long Gets Back to Racing Roots this Friday with Allen Turner Pro Late Models 100

Chuck Corder

Johanna Long just couldn’t take it anymore.

The Nationwide Series rookie last suited up for a race March 17 at famed Bristol Motor Speedway.

That was all Long could stand. And what better way for her to end that void than in her backyard.

Long will make a triumphant return to Pro Late Models in the Allen Turner 100 on Friday night at Five Flags Speedway.

It will be the first time she has driven a PLM since the 2010 Snowflake 100, the night before her career’s crowning achievement in winning the 43rd annual Snowball Derby.

“(It has) been a couple of years,� Long said in a phone interview Wednesday. “I’m looking forward to it. It has been so long since I have been in pro car. It’ll be a lotta fun.�

A week after defending Snowball Derby champion Chase Elliott raced to victory in the Pepsi Next 100 against a full Blizzard Series field of Super Late Models, Long — the 2010 Snowball champ — will lead the Pro Late Models into 2012 at the famed, half-mile asphalt oval. Sportsmen and Bombers will continue their seasons.

The grandstands open at 5 p.m. Friday with the pits open at 1 p.m. Grandstand admission is as follows: $15 adults, $14 seniors, $12 military, $12 ages 12 thru 17, $5 children ages 6 to 11 and free for kids under 6. Pit passes are $25.

The PLM series is where Long, 19, broke into the racing world a few years ago. At 15, she became the first female and youngest track champion in the storied history of Five Flags.

Long will drive the PLM of close friend and series regular Tommy Rollins on Friday. Donald Long, Johanna’s father, has helped build late models for Rollins over the years.

Rollins was a frequent spectator in the stands at raceways around the nation during Johanna Long’s trucks series season last year. He also has made it out to see her race this season.

“I always joked around asking him, ‘Let me drive your car, Tommy,’ � Long said. “I called Dad to see if I could race and we all put it together this week.

“Tommy’s a lot taller and bigger than me,� she continued, “so they’re changing the seats and moving the pedals back for sure. It means a lot to me. I know (Rollins) hasn’t raced in a while either.�

Something Long can relate to.

She already has run three of the 21-race Nationwide Series schedule in her ML Motorsports No. 70, but missed last week’s trip to California.

Long has posted top 30 finishes in each race with her best result being 19th, which came in Las Vegas.

“We’ve done OK,� she said. “Daytona, we did well. Vegas, we struggled during the race. We have a lot to work on. Me as a driver and us as a new team. But we’ve done the best we can every time we’ve gone to the racetrack.�

Long can’t wait to carry that philosophy and strategy back into Five Flags on Friday.

“It’ll be just a lotta fun to come back Pensacola,� she said. “I told everyone (Tuesday), and everyone seems to be getting hyped up. I hope they all come out to the race. It should be pretty big and a good one.�

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