Catchfence

Johanna Long, No. 70 Biomet / Motorcoach Foretravel Chevrolet

Race: DRIVE4COPD 300

NASCAR Nationwide Series: 1 of 33

Track: Daytona International Speedway

Date: February 25, 2011

19-year-old Johanna Long will make her NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) debut with ML Motorsports this Saturday, February 25 in the Drive4Copd 300 at Daytona International Speedway. Long, the youngest female driver in NASCAR Nationwide Series history has 23 NASCAR Camping World Truck (NCWTS) starts under her belt and is noted winning one of the most prestigious short track races in the country, the 2010 Snowball Derby. She will kick off her 21-race schedule season with ML Motorsports driving the No. 70 Biomet / Motorcoach Foretravel Chevrolet. Live television coverage will begin on ESPN2 at 1:00 pm ET.

Joining Forces with ML Motorsports – Over the off season, Long signed with ML Motorsports to a two-year, 21-race season schedule. Based out of Warsaw, IN the team is owned and operated by one of the few female owners in NASCAR, Mary-Louise Miller.

Daytona International Speedway – This will be Long’s second start at the famed 2.5-mile track of Daytona International Speedway. Her previous start took place last February in the NCWTS for her family-owned team Panhandle Motorsports, where she qualified impressively in the 5th starting position.

Johanna on Daytona – “I’m really looking forward to making my Nationwide Series debut at Daytona,” says Long. “There is going to be a lot of first time experiences for me considering this is my first start with ML Motorsports, my first time racing in the Nationwide Series and only my second start at Daytona so it’s going to be a huge learning curve, but I couldn’t be more excited about all of it. To be able to race in this series at this historic track is a dream come true. Going into this weekend, I’m going to focus on the big picture and that’s gaining experience, being consistent and being there at the end for a strong finish.”

Teaming up with David Green and Red Farmer – Johanna is excited to have former 1994 Busch Champion David Green and Alabama Gang member Red farmer on board with ML Motorsports at Daytona. They will both assist the team and David Green will act as a driver coach to 19-year-old Long.

Rookie of the Year Contention – Long will be one of three drivers running for the Rookie of The Year Title.

About Johanna Long:

Johanna Long, the youngest female to race in the NASCAR nationwide Series, pilots the No. 70 Biomet/Motorcoach Foretravel Chevrolet for ML Motorsports. The 19-year-old began racing go-karts at the age of eight quickly moving to Legends and then to Late Models. She made history becoming the youngest driver and only female to win a track championship at Five Flags Speedway. She went on to win the prestigious Snowball Derby in 2010. In 2011, Long drove for her family-owned team Panhandle Motorsports accumulating 23 starts.

- ML Motorsports Press Release