Breakthrough Nationwide Driver of the Year

           

            NASCAR racing as a whole has been a male dominated sport from top to bottom; there is no question about it. A few females have broken through the gender gap, and have had success in stock car racing. Names like Janet Guthrie, Shawna Robinson, Patty Moise, Tammy Jo Kirk, and Danica Patrick. No, this article isn't about Danica Patrick, even though I am a big fan of her driving style, but she has a lot to learn in a stock car. This article is about a young girl from Pensacola, Florida. This driver's name is Johanna Long.

Johanna Long celebrating her 2010 Snowball Derby Victory. Photo from 5flagsspeedway.com.

           

            I first started to pay attention to Johanna Long during the 2011 truck race at Atlanta. She was a good looking girl, and she was working her way up in the ranks. Unfortunately she had an accident during that race, and finished 31st. Just being the way I am, I started to do some research on her racing resume, and pedigree and she is quite impressive already at the young age of 20. At age 15 she was the youngest and first female track champion at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida. This track is famous with the Pro Late Model crowd in being the site of the prestigious Snowball Derby. 2008 was the first year that she raced in the Snowball Derby as well. 2009 was a banner year for Johanna as well. She tallied 5 wins, 18 top fives, and 27 top tens in 38 races across the southeast. That is amazing, especially when you think about all the guys who are putting a bulls eye on her back, and trying their hardest to not get beaten by a female. In 2009, she would also win the pole for the Snowball Derby, and made her first two starts in the ARCA series.

Johanna Long in her ML Motorsports #70 at Kentucky Speedway. Photo from Getty Images from Zimbio.com.



            2010 for Johanna was probably one of the best years in her young career in my opinion, until 2012. Johanna was the Snowball Derby Champion at Five Flags Speedway. If you are unfamiliar with this race, let me give you some of the finishers from the finishing order. Landon Cassill finished 4th, David Stremme-13th, Casey Roderick-16th, Chase Elliott-17th, Ross Kenseth-19th, Grant Enfinger-20th, Cale Gale-21st, Ryan Sieg-26th, and David Ragan-27th. These drivers are either in NASCAR's top three series (Trucks, Nationwide, or Sprint Cup), or on their way with Chase Elliott, and Ross Kenseth. This race routinely attracts top NASCAR stars, notable in the massive list of past winners including Kyle Busch, Steven Wallace, Rich Bickle Jr., Jeff Purvis, Tammy Jo Kirk, Rick Crawford, Ted Musgrave, and Darrell Waltrip.

2010 Snowball Derby 3-way fight between Stremme, Cassill, and Long.





            Let’s fast forward to 2011 and 2012. 2011 brought her a best finish in the Craftsman Truck series of 11th at Texas, and a best start of 5th at Daytona in only 17 starts. I feel her best year to date has been 2012. She has made 19 starts this year for ML Motorsports in the #70 Chevrolet. She has started a best of 8th at Richmond, and finished 12th twice at Daytona and Kentucky. Considering the budget this team operates on, she along with the small number of team members get the absolute most out of what they have. I am glad that everyone is taking notice of what she is doing from the commentators at least. Kyle Petty gave her a shout out today during practice at Texas, which triggered this blog post. Johanna needs to make a bet with Kyle Busch to get a ride in either his Craftsman Truck, or his Nationwide car. Maybe the Snowball Derby this year? I can only hope a big name ride will become available to her, because with the talent she has behind the wheel, I think she can knockdown some wins and possibly fight for a championship one day. Only time will tell, keep an eye out for her. Check out johannalong.comfor more information on Johanna. If you are on twitter, follow her @JOHANNALONG. Also, you should check out SPEED51.com for more information about short track racing around the country, including the 45th Snowball Derby from Five Flags Speedway on Nov. 28th - Dec. 2nd. Bob Dillner (@bobdillner) owns and runs the website, and is also an awesome on air personality for all things NASCAR on Speed. Until next time.

Landon Cassill (@landoncassill) after the 2010 Snowball Derby. This guy is nothing but class, even if he doesn’t wash his jeans.