Tuesday
Johanna Long Ready for Return to NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Competition
Press Release
Long drove the No. 15 Billy Ballew Motorsports-fielded Tundra at O’Reilly Raceway Park (ORP) last July, starting 15th and finishing the day in 17th-place. Returning with the same team, Long hopes that her experience at ORP will propel her to a stronger finish in Saturday’s Nashville 200.
Long has already collected an impressive list of racing accomplishments. At only 18 years old, she touts Late Model championships in the Blizzard Series and Gulf Coast Series from the 2009 season. Long won five of the 36 events she ran en route to her championships and captured the pole for the esteemed Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway in 2009. Long also competed in two ARCA events last season.
Long will be carrying two special sponsors on her Tundra this week. Adorning her truck bed will be the decals of country music singer Sunny Sweeney. Like Long, Sweeney is an up-and-comer in her profession. Sunny’s next project for the Republic Nashville label, produced by fellow Texan Brett Beavers, contains the new Top 40 single “From A Table Away.” Sweeny will be performing the post-race concert following the race at Nashville Superspeedway on Saturday.
Long wants to thank everyone from her hometown, Pensacola, Florida. The Long family appreciates the city’s support throughout Johanna’s racing career and is showing their gratitude by donating the space on the 15 truck’s hood to the city of Pensacola. They hope everyone has a chance to visit the city that has been so loyal and important in Johanna’s development.
“I can’t wait to get back in a truck. I had so much fun last time. It took about half of the race at ORP before I felt like I was getting the hang of it. I was starting to find my groove and understand the handling characteristics of a truck just as the race was ending. That has me really excited about going to Nashville. I know I still have a lot to learn, but I feel like we’re heading in the right direction and it has me anxious to hit the track.
“I’ve never raced at a track like Nashville (Superspeedway). I’m excited about the challenge. I’ve been racing on mostly flat tracks with Late Models for a while now. It will be fun to step outside of my comfort zone and attempt something new.
“I finished 17th in my last race (ORP). I’m aiming for a top-15 this week. It will be a new track for me, but hopefully my learning curve won’t be quite as steep as my first race. Now that I have an event under my belt, I’m hoping we can do a little better than last time. My team is a great bunch of guys and they’re all very talented. I know we can get the job done.”
About Billy Ballew Motorsports:
BBM started competing full-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in 2002 and has had a variety of well known NASCAR drivers over the years. The list includes Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, Aric Almirola, Brian Ickler, John Andretti, Kenny Wallace, Paul Menard, Bill Lester, Geoffrey Bodine, Joe Ruttman and a host of others. It was Shane Hmiel who piloted the No. 15 for the 2004 season that brought Billy Ballew his first win at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the team’s 100th start in the NCWTS. Since then Billy Ballew Motorsports has taken 18 more trips to victory lane.
- Breaking Limits Press Release
Article Tags: ARCA, Aric Almirola, BBM, Bill Lester, Billy Ballew, Billy Ballew Motorsports, Blizzard Series, Brian Ickler, Denny Hamlin, Five Flags Speedway, Geoffrey Bodine, Joe Ruttman, John Andretti, Kenny Wallace, Kyle Busch, Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway, Nashville 200, NCWTS, O'Reilly Raceway Park, ORP, Paul Menard, Shane Hmiel
