Johanna Long

Long, 18, who just finished her rookie season on the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, is the second female winner of the race. Tammy Jo Kirk was the first following her historic victory in 1994.

The win, surprisingly, was the first in 2010 for Long, who a year ago won the Blizzard Series championship at Five Flags Speedway and also captured the pole for the 42nd running of the Snowball Derby.

- Pensacola News Journal

Jeff Fultz (Photo Credit: 51 Sports)

But there’s one thing that Jeff Fultz hasn’t done and that has been to win the Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida. Fultz has come close, but hasn’t pulled off the victory yet. There’s a new sense of urgency for him to win in this year’s 43rd running of the biggest Super Late Model race in the country. By his own admission, Fultz’s chances to win this big one are getting fewer and fewer thanks to his growing role as a driver coach for young drivers in the sport.

“This might be my last one,” said Fultz. “A lot of my career might be getting towards the end as far as the driving stuff. We’re looking forward to some really big things with some of the young drivers. So we’re working hard with a new car to try to go down there and try to win the thing. We’ve been in a position before.”

Fultz is especially hungry though because the 2009 version of the event was not his strongest Derby outing. Issues with his car actually kept Fultz from qualifying for the race. So this time around, he’s got a little extra motivation to redeem himself.

“Last year, we had probably the worst luck that we’ve ever had there when we had electrical problems with the engine,” said Fultz. “But other than that, we’ve had a great racecar in the Derby.”

Fultz has run in the Blizzard Super Late Model Series at Five Flags this year in an effort to learn what to do, and what not to do, when he gets to the Derby this year. Those lessons have been valuable ones.

“We’ve struggled a little bit this whole year at Pensacola,” said Fultz. “We’ve always run well there for the Snowball, but we’ve struggled a little bit at the Blizzard Series races. I think it is because of the heat and because we usually try a lot of new stuff down there.

“More than anything, it’s been from us. Our cars have been great, but we’ve just slipped up. The one car that we’ve designated to run there just hasn’t been that good of a car there. But we’ve got some stuff figured out and we’ve run real great at Mobile. We’ve had a couple of monkeys climb up on our back and we found some things at Winchester, but got into the fence after we crashed. If we get everything turned around for the Snowball Derby, it will be a lot better. We’ve got a new car that we are bringing down and we’ve got a new motor program with Ford racing.”

There is no doubt just how important the Snowball Derby is to Fultz.

“The Snowball Derby is kind of like the Daytona 500 for short track racing,” said Fultz. “It has been since I was a little kid. I’ve been going for years and years and years to just watch it. Then I became fortunate enough to drive in it. It’s basically the biggest short track race that you’ll go to. The excitement of it is so great. Your stomach gets sore just worrying about it until you get to Sunday when they drop the green. Just making it is one thing. Some of the biggest teams that you’ll ever see, come to race. There have been Cup, Busch and Truck drivers. They’re all there.
“It’s the biggest race of the year and I’ve been going there since I was a real young kid, so it is big race for me. It’s one that I’d really be proud to win.”

The 43rd Annual Snowball Derby weekend kicks off on Wednesday, December 1st, with the Cat Country / WEAR TV3 Free Green Flag Party, where fans can meet their favorite drivers on the Five Flags asphalt. On-track action kicks off on Thursday, December 2nd, with practice for the Snowball Derby and Snowflake 100 cars, as well as features for the Five Flags Bomber and Sportsman divisions. Friday is qualifying day for the Snowball Derby cars, while the Pro Late Models will get more practice and the Super Stocks and Modified feature events.

The Allen Turner Hyundai Snowflake 100 will go green on Saturday, December 4th, along with last-chance qualifying races for the Snowball Derby. Then on Sunday, the green flag will wave for the 43rd Annual Snowball Derby.

For more information on the 43rd Annual Snowball Derby, contact Five Flags Speedway by calling (850) 944-8400 and be sure to visit www.snowballderby.com and www.fiveflagsspeedway.com.

- 51 Sports Press Release

Panhandle Motorsports

Continuing the Girl Scouts partnership this year, Long will also take on two of the local Girl Scouts – from Girl Scouts Council of Tropical Florida – as “honorary pit crew” members for the team at the Ford 200. Long partnered at each track this year with a local council, speaking about her journey in motorsports, hard work and determination in whatever they choose to do in life. She will also have her “honorary pit crew” members cross the stage with her at driver introductions.
“I’m excited to have the Snowball Derby decal on the truck this weekend,” said Long. “Late models are my roots, my comfort zone and my first love, so it’s nice to be able to showcase the Derby where I’m racing now – the Truck Series.

The Snowball Derby is a tough week of racing, and I look forward to it every year. A lot of people know me from the Derby and the Blizzard Series – so it’s nice to show where I came from in the sport. I’m looking forward to shedding some light on these races, as well as my home track of Five Flags Speedway. Plus, it might give me a little luck going into the weekend!”

Johanna Long

This season she made another major jump in the racing ranks, moving to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series with Panhandle Motorsport – running a limited schedule this year to gain track knowledge and experience on the Speedways. Her season-best finish of 17th came at Indianapolis Raceway Park. She also has qualified among the top 20 in all six of her previous starts, with a top qualification of 9th at Texas Motor Speedway in November.

“I have such great people around me this year, teaching me so much about the tracks. Plus, it has been really awesome to get support from so many of the veteran drivers, all of whom don’t hesitate to get me in a car to do track walks. I’m really hopeful for a Rookie season in 2011 – it’s time to show what I can do with a full year. We’re looking for marketing partners now, and it’s critical for that to happen. If anyone out there wants to help support our efforts, please be in touch – let’s keep this momentum going!”

ABOUT DRIVER JOHANNA LONG & PANHANDLE MOTORSPORTS:

Johanna Long, 18, is the youngest driver in the elite NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Her career to date has included racing in NCWTS in 2010 with family race team Panhandle Motorsports in Las Vegas, Martinsville & Texas Motor Speedway; as well as three starts with Billy Ballew Motorsports in the NCWTS; and two starts in 2009 in the ARCA RE/MAX Series. Former Blizzard Series Champion on the Gulf Coast & driver since the age of five, Long has caught the eyes of many top teams over the years as an “up-and-coming” teen driver.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SNOWBAL DERBY:

The Snowball Derby draws the best and brightest Super Late Model teams from all across the land to Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida. For more information about the week’s events from December 1-5, 2010, visit http://5flagsspeedway.com / or www.speed51.com.

- Girl Friday PR & Marketing Press Release

Panhandle Motorsports

Posting solid practice runs all day, the former Blizzard Series Champion and Pensacola, Fla. native qualified in a solid 16th position. Unfortunately, she wasn’t able to prove how much she learned on the track, as a blown motor ended the race for the Panhandle Motorsports #20 Toyota Tundra team just as the green flag dropped. Long finished in 36th place.

Las Vegas was the continuation of Johanna’s “learning year” in one of NASCAR’s toughest Series with her new team – driving the #20 Panhandle Motorsports Toyota Tundra. Long also looked forward to working with a veteran crew, to include crew chief Kevin “Cowboy” Starland. Her busy race day showed that she could handle the pressure of the learning curve early on, posting 17th fastest in practice. Showing a quick study to the 1.5-mile concrete Tri-oval, she went on to qualify in an impressive 16th position. Long hoped to finish with her first top-15 of the season, but those hopes were dashed as the green flag waved on the frontstretch.

No. 20 Panhandle Grading & Paving Toyota Tundra

NASCAR veteran crew chief Cowboy Starland said, “Johanna shows so much talent every time she sits in a stock car or Truck. It was so frustrating, after she worked so well all day with the team, to have such extraordinary bad luck before our race could even begin. I’m looking forward to moving on to our next Truck race this year where we can work again to really see her star shine on the track.”

“I’m so disappointed that our team couldn’t show how well they’ve done here at Las Vegas,” Long said. “It all came together in just a few weeks, and I am lucky to have so many experienced crew members behind my efforts. We ran so well all day. I couldn’t wait to really get moving on that track under the lights. I have to stay positive because racing at this level in NASCAR always has its ups and downs, and luck just wasn’t on our side here. We’re going to move forward and plan out our next race to show how we can really perform.”

ABOUT DRIVER JOHANNA LONG & PANHANDLE MOTORSPORTS:

Johanna Long, 18, is the youngest driver in the elite NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Her career to date has included racing in NCWTS in 2010 with family race team Panhandle Motorsports; as well as three starts with Billy Ballew Motorsports in the NCWTS; and two starts in 2009 in the ARCA Racing Series. Former Blizzard Series Champion on the Gulf Coast & driver since the age of five, Long has caught the eyes of many top teams over the years as an “up-and-coming” teen driver.

For more information, please visit www.JohannaLong.com.

- Girl Friday PR & Marketing Press Release

Billy Ballew Motorsports

Chicagoland Speedway will be the first mile-and-a-half venue that Long has competed at in NCWTS competition. Long made history this season when she became the youngest female driver to make a NCWTS start. The Pensacola, Fla., native made her debut at O’Reilly Raceway Park this season, where she finished 17th. She next competed at Nashville Superspeedway and finished 34th after she was spun out and unable to continue.

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.

Johanna Long

“I can’t wait to get back on track. Our last race at Nashville didn’t turn out how we expected. I barely had anytime to race, so I’m looking forward to heading to Chicagoland. I really enjoyed the speed and pace at Nashville. I’ve mostly competed at short tracks, so it was nice to get some experience at a larger track. It was really fun wheeling the truck. I was excited about racing there, but we only got three laps in before I was crashed. I’m anxious to continue learning and developing as a driver, so this will be a great opportunity.

“My guys worked so hard at Nashville and I was disappointed that we didn’t have more to show for our effort. My crew has given me an awesome truck both times I’ve raced with Billy Ballew Motorsports and I’m sure that Chicago will be no different. Hopefully this race will reflect how good this team really is.

“I’ve really enjoyed the past two Truck Series races. Each one has been a learning experience. The trucks are a lot different than anything I’ve ever driven, so I’m still getting the hang of them. It’s definitely a challenge, but I’m feeling more comfortable behind the wheel. I’m learning the handling characteristics and getting a better understanding of what the truck needs for the race. Each lap I take is valuable. Fortunately I have a great crew around me that helps speeding up that curve.”

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

Johanna Long

A year after making history as the first & youngest female to win the prestigious Pro Late Model championship at 16 years old, she’s now the Blizzard Series Champion at 17. “It’s awesome, a dream come true,” Long said as the fans roared their approval. “I never thought I’d be here. My family and my crew have supported me all season. It’s just great.”

“We’re so proud of Johanna’s progress,” said veteran Sprint Cup Series general manager & current team owner of her ARCA RE/MAX Series car, Eddie D’Hondt. “We had a good test with Johanna last week at Rockingham. I am really looking forward to this weekend. Once again, Johanna’s ability to adapt to new surroundings was very impressive.”

“If we are able to get this girl in anything close to a full schedule of ARCA races next year, she has the talent to become one of the Series’ best drivers, period. She’s just that good. I look forward to having the opportunity to mentor Johanna,” D’Hondt continued.
Not your average teenager, Johanna continues a busy fall schedule with the DMS team. After a successful mentoring event at Kansas Speedway on October 1st to spend the day as a role model and mentor to 600 area Girl Scouts, Johanna sets her sights on competing with her ARCA RE/MAX peers. She competes as the youngest female entrant in the “American 200″ ARCA RE/MAX race at Rockingham Speedway in Rockingham, N.C., on Oct. 11 for the Grandmarubys.com DMS Toyota Camry. “After a great Rockingham test with DMS in September, I’m able to begin to hone my skills for that track,” Long said.

Long, a humble teen, lives to race and calls it “her heaven” when she’s on the track – and top Cup Series drivers have taken notice. “Johanna Long has a lot of raw talent. At 17 years old, she has quite a future ahead of her. Given the opportunity, from what I see – I think she will advance her career in NASCAR farther than any other female we have seen to date. She’s learned the right way.” – Kyle Busch, driver of the # 18, M&M / Mars Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota Camry, NASCAR Sprint Cup car.

Finishing up her Super Late Model season, Long stops in Winchester, Indiana on October 18th and Nashville Fairgrounds on November 1st to race against the Super Late Model’s best once again. On December 6th, Johanna will be back home in Pensacola as the Panhandle Motorsports team gears up for a Showdown in the Superbowl of Super Late Model racing – “The Snowball Derby.”

About D’Hondt Motorsports:

D’Hondt Motorsports (DMS), headquartered in Mooresville, NC, is home to the No. 19 Toyota Camry ARCA RE/MAX Series team and the No. 92 Toyota NASCAR Nationwide Series team. With over 75 years of collective NASCAR & motorsports experience & excellence, from general management to crew, team D’Hondt is poised to skyrocket into NASCAR’s next generation. For more information about D’Hondt Motorsports, LLC, please visit www.dhondtmotorsports.com.

About GrandmaRubys.com:

Grandma Ruby’s is a family-owned business with locations in Minnesota and Tennessee. The Carpenters, Harvey & Kari, live in Minnesota and the Junions, Dan & Marni, live in Tennessee. Kari and Marni are sisters and, in case you’re wondering, Grandma Ruby is a real person – she’s our grandma. When we decided to go into business together, we tossed around a lot of different names, but we chose to name our business after the person who had the most influence in our lives growing up together. We live miles apart now but we reminisce often about the laughter and joy during our childhood with Grandma Ruby, whom we affectionately called Mamo, and she had the ability to touch everyone she came in contact with in a positive and meaningful way. Raised during the Great Depression, Mamo knew how to make mundane foods and dessert into delectable meals that friends and neighbors would talk about for days. Of course, we kids liked the desserts best!

- D’Hondt Motorsports Press Release

CONCORD,NC (July 8, 2009) – Stepping outside of the comfort zone is always an intimidating task but to ascend through the levels of motorsports, it must be done. That is exactly what 17-year-old Johanna Long will do this weekend. Long has been showing her strength in the deep south at her home track of Five Flags Speedway and throughout the southeast over the past year. With two Blizzard Series Super Late Model wins, as well as several other victories under her belt, and with much preparation by way of testing and practice behind her for support, Long will step out and try her hand in unfamiliar territory. She will compete in this weekend’s ARCA RE/MAX Prairie Meadows 200 at the Iowa Speedway. Long will pilot the #25 Karl Chevrolet prepared by Venturini Motorsports.

“I am really excited and even a little bit nervous about it,” said Long. “This is such a big opportunity for us. It’s going to be my first ARCA RE/MAX race, and hopefully I’ll get a lot of good experience from it.”

Long traveled to the Iowa Speedway last week for an open test session where she illustrated her strength and, despite her young age, impressive ability to adapt to both the unfamiliar car and track. It only took Long a matter of laps to match, and even surpass, the speeds of several series’ regulars in her first outing and show the competition what she has shown the southeast over the past year… that she is more than just a rookie, she is a contender.

“The test went really well. We were second in the first round and ended up sixth overall. The cars and speeds are a lot different from what I’ve been doing, but I adapted well and caught up with everyone else’s speeds pretty quickly,” explained Long. “I am looking forward to getting back out there and not just getting experience and seat-time, but a good solid finish too.”

Although she may not be new in racing competition, Long is still a rookie of the series and was also required to attend some extra off-track practice before hitting the pavement this weekend.

“I also went to pitstop practice during the week after we raced in North Carolina this weekend to get the hang of that and make sure I knew how everything goes,” said Long. “It went well, and I think it will all run smoothly on Saturday night.”

Be sure to catch 17-year-old Super Late Model sensation Johanna Long in her ARCA RE/MAX Series debut this Saturday night, July 11th, in the Prairie Meadows 200 at the Iowa Speedway in Newton, IA, via series’ live timing and scoring broadcast on ArcaRacing.com.

For more information on Johanna Long, please be sure to keep up with Jo and her progress at www.JohannaLong.net

- 51 Sports Press Release