Becca Kasten

“This is all about Becca (Kasten). I think she has the will and determination, as well as the talent to succeed in this sport,” said Bob Dillner, who is also a NASCAR TV broadcaster for SPEED. “We are pumped to compete in several Pro and Super Late Model races around the country, as well as run some UARA Late Model Stock Car races. That plus Becca’s schedule with Toby (Nuttleman) and the guys up north will make her one of the most diverse racecar drivers in short track racing this year.”

After an impressive Florida Speedweeks, which included a win and three, second-place finishes in Super Late Model competition at New Smyrna Speedway with a Toby Nuttleman prepared car, Kasten will compete under the BDI banner in the UARA season opener at Hickory Motor Speedway on Saturday, March 12th. The Wisconsin native will return to Super Late Model racing when she competes in the BDI #51 in “The Race” at North Wilkesboro Speedway (NC) on Saturday April 9th and in the “Easter Bunny 150” at Hickory Motor Speedway on Saturday, April 23rd.

“I’ve gotten a huge boost of confidence after how I did at the end of last year and the way the season started off this year,” stated Kasten. “I’m hoping this string of success continues and builds throughout the future. I have an amazing opportunity this year with the caliber of equipment I will race and the people like Toby, Alex Query (crew chief, BDI #51 Pro & Super LMs) and Roger Johnson (crew chief, UARA) that will be helping me.”

Kasten spent a good portion of the latter part of last year working with Dillner’s Speed51.com, but it wasn’t until December at the Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway that they officially met. Shortly afterwards, Kasten and Dillner began talking about working together in 2011.

“It’s hard to find people you can trust in this sport and I was amazed at how genuine and generous he was with what he had to offer me,” said Kasten. “When we first started talking about working together, I was worried it was too good to be true. After a few meetings it finally hit me that this was real and it has the potential to be a really great thing. He flat out told me, ‘I have no desire to run a rental program and make money; I simply want to play the role as a team owner and feel like I’m helping and I’m involved.’ It’s a cool feeling when someone who has been in the racing world forever, and has seen everything, takes a huge interest in advancing your career. There are plenty of people he could have selected, but he chose to help me.”

Becca Kasten spent the 2010 season as part of the NASCAR Diversity program with Revolution Racing, but decided to explore other avenues in 2011.

The entire Becca Kasten racing schedule will be released shortly. The list of partners for Kasten and BDI Racing this year already includes FLUIDYNE High Performance Cooling Systems, Racing Electronics and Pink Carburetors.

The team’s websites, beccakasten.com and bdiracing.net are currently under construction for the upcoming 2011 campaign.

- BDI Racing Press Release

Billy Ballew Motorsports

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.

Johanna Long

“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

Johanna Long

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 has tested with BBM twice. She worked with the No. 15 team at Caraway (N.C.) Speedway and Gresham (Ga.) Motorsports Park (GMP) in preparation for her inaugural NASCAR race. While at GMP, Long clicked off the fastest lap time at the half-mile asphalt oval. Her time of 17.218 seconds was the quickest among NASCAR’s top-three series since the facility was repaved last season.

Long will carry the colors of John Andretti’s Race 4 Riley event on the hood of her Toyota Tundra. Thanks to people like John Andretti and Dave Wilson, and their support of Riley Hospital for Children, we’re one step closer to every child having an equal chance of growing to adulthood. The three-day Race 4 Riley event begins on Wednesday, July 21 with donations going to Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Long Comments on the AAA Insurance 200:

“I’m really excited to go racing trucks. I’ve been racing Late Models my whole life and this is the next step. I’m ready to take it.

“After a few test sessions, I’ve learned that Late Models are a lot different than trucks. Late Models are a lot lighter, and when you go in the corners, you can slam on the brakes and turn the car wherever it needs to go. You have to be a little easier in the trucks. They’re a little lazy. You have to let off the gas and then start turning it. It’s a lot different to get used to.

“I’ve been to ORP before in Late Model competition. It’s an awesome race track. It’s definitely a racer’s track. The turns are really wide, so you’re all over the place. I did pretty well with my Late Model, so I’m excited to go back.”

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.

- Billy Ballew Motorsports Press Release

Billy Ballew Motorsports

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.

Billy Ballew, team owner BBM, anticipates Long to continue a successful progression as she takes her first step into the NCWTS.

“I’m really excited to have Johanna (Long) in our truck at ORP,” said Ballew. “She’s extremely talented and has been very successful up to this point. The Truck Series is a great venue for her to grow as a driver. She’s got all the tools to be successful, and I think this will be a good opportunity for her to develop her talent.”

BBM has a history of opening doors for young, up and coming drivers. He has fielded winning trucks for young drivers such as Shane Hmiel, Kyle Busch and Aric Almirola. He also helped jump-start stock car career of Brian Ickler, and most recently Nelson Piquet Jr. Long sees her inaugural NCWTS race with BBM as an opportunity to mature as a driver.

Johanna Long

Long tested with BBM last week at Asheboro, N.C.’s Caraway Speedway. The .455-mile paved oval has similar characteristics to O’Reilly Raceway Park and helped prepare Long for the race ahead. The session was Long’s first opportunity to drive a NASCAR race truck. Aric Almirola, driver of the No. 51 BBM truck, was on hand to coach Long as she navigated the track.

Long will test this week at Gresham Motorsports Park in Jefferson, Ga. Long and her 15 team will test for two days at the half-mile paved speedway.

Although her schedule is not confirmed, Long anticipates racing more NCWTS events with BBM following the AAA Insurance 200 at O’Reilly Raceway Park as part of a multi-race developmental program.

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.

- Billy Ballew Motorsports Press Release

CHELSEA, AL (January 11, 2010) – After having a highly successful season in the ASA Late Model Challenge ranks in 2009, Josh Hamner and team owners Bobby and Roger Reuse have decided not to return together as a team in 2010. The “Air Company” race team raced in all nine of the ASA Late Model Challenge events and even scored a dominating win at Salem Speedway in Indiana. 2010 expectations were high until the Reuse family decided to pursue other business opportunities in the immediate future – leaving Josh without a ride.

“I have to thank Bobby and Roger Reuse for giving me an opportunity to race for them,” said Hamner. “It was great for them to take me on as a driver and take on the ASA Late Model Challenge Series. We had a good year. We got ourselves a win at Salem. Do to some circumstances, we didn’t visit victory lane quite as often as we wanted to, but we had a lot of fun.”

Josh list himself now as a “Free Agent” hoping that someone might be able to come along and offer up a solid opportunity to run in the ASA Late Models ranks or elsewhere in the Late Model racing world. Preliminary plans for 2010 are to run locally at Montgomery and other Southeast tracks, but Hamner is keeping his options open.

“Racing is a hobby for a lot of people, but it’s my life,” said Hamner. “I am looking to be a driver for someone else if the right opportunity comes along, but going to the racetrack and working with teams and younger drivers is some thing I love to do. If a ride comes along where it’s a set number of races, or a full series with another team, then you can almost guarantee that there would be backing from the family business.”

Josh, of course, is tied in with Hamner Racing Engines, which is run by his father Jeff Hamner, who had a highly successful season in 2009. With championships in the Gulf Coast Series, Blizzard Series and event the Snowball Derby it shows that the Hamner name is synonymies with winning. Josh himself was the 2008 Blizzard Series champion at Five Flags Speedway (FL).

The split between the two parties was on good terms. In fact, Bobby Reuse still plans on helping Hamner out at the track when he can in 2010.

“We are going to stay in touch and offer support to him with our truck and trailer among other things,” said Bobby Reuse. “I myself even plan on going to a few races with him and maybe will spot for him. We are just not going to be fielding a race team this season and I am not going to be the car owner. Josh is such a motivated person. He is 100 percent dedicated to racing. He is focused and dedicated to the sport and wants it to be his life worse then anyone I have ever known.”

Hamner is now entertaining ideas and option for the 2010 racing season after finishing third in the final ASA Late Model Challenge Series point standings. Hamner will attend the banquet this weekend in Indianapolis, Indiana.

For more information on Josh Hamner, visit his website at joshhamner.com

- 51 Sports Press Release

Elliott, who turned 14 over the holiday weekend, will make his first attempt to qualify for the 300-lap Super Late Model race, considered by many as the “Daytona 500” of short track racing. The young driver will attempt to make it an exciting double header, as he also plans to enter the Allen Turner Snowflake 100 Pro Late Model companion event.

“Our main goal at the Snowball Derby is to first of all make the race and then to be competitive and have a good showing ,” said Elliott about the prestigious event. “The best Late Model drivers in the country will be here, and some NASCAR drivers – so the competition is going to be really tough. But we’ve learned a lot in our runs at Five Flags Speedway earlier this year, so hopefully that will carry over to this race. And then our goal is always to be there at the end of the race, save our equipment and stay out of trouble.

“None of this would be possible without my sponsor Aaron’s, Ricky (Turner) and Jim (Barfield), mom and dad and everyone who has supported us all year. Hopefully we can go down there, make the race and have a good ending to this awesome season.”

Ricky Turner, Elliott’s crew chief and substitute spotter when dad Bill Elliott has been away at NASCAR races this year, has guided the second-generation driver to a stellar rookie campaign, including wins in the Georgia Asphalt Series (GAS), ASA Southeast Asphalt Tour, and the PASS South Series as well as the 2009 GAS championship and Rookie of the Year Honors.

While Turner will be calling the shots from the pits this weekend, his name also graces the impressive list of past winners as the 2002 Snowball Derby champion.

“Having Ricky with me this year has been a huge help, everywhere we’ve gone,” said Elliott. “But especially here, he knows every turn and every bump on this track and he knows what it takes to run up front in this big race. I feel confident in Ricky, Jim and all the guys on the team to give me the best car they can every weekend and to work hard to keep us up front. I really hope we can get a good run here just as a ‘thank you’ for everybody helping me out this year.”

Elliott made his first career Super Late Model start at Five Flags Speedway during the August 7th Blizzard Series event and finished 18th. His other SLM start at Five Flags came on September 25th; after qualifying third and running up front, a failed engine relegated him to a disappointing 21st place finish.

The young driver had a strong run in his lone Pro Late Model start at Five Flags, starting and finishing third during the October 9th Night of Champions race.

The festivities at Five Flags Speedway kicks off Wednesday, December 2, with the 5th annual Cat Country 98.7/WEAR-TV Green Flag Party where fans will have the chance to meet their favorite drivers and enjoy live music at the track.

The on-track action starts with Thursday’s practice for the Snowball Derby and the Allen Turner Snowflake 100. The Snowball Derby hopefuls take to the track Friday for the WXBM Pole Night looking to be one of the top-30 drivers who are locked into the race on time trials.

The field for the Allen Turner Snowflake 100 will qualify and race on Saturday, December 5. Fans can also catch the last chance qualifying for the Snowball Derby.

All the action leads up to Sunday’s 42nd annual Snowball Derby 300-lap Super Late Model event.

Fans that can’t make it to Pensacola can still follow live action thanks to Speed 51 and Race Talk Radio, including live Internet radio coverage of the Snowball Derby and trackside updates throughout the four-day event. Stay tuned to www.ChaseElliott.com for the most up-to-date information and links to the coverage from Five Flags Speedway.

For event tickets and camping spaces at Five Flags Speedway, please call the track box office at 850-944-8400 or visit www.SnowballDerby.com.

For the most up-to-date Chase Elliott news, including his racing schedule and weekly podcast, please visit www.ChaseElliott.com.
Be sure to vote for Chase Elliott in the 2009 Late Model Most Popular Driver Award presented by Aluminum Racing Products. You can vote daily now through December 6th by following the link at www.ChaseElliott.com. The last update showed Elliott third in the standings, and voting wraps up at the conclusion of the Snowball Derby. Spread the word and help Elliott get those last minute votes!

About Aaron’s:

Aaron’s Sales & Lease Ownership stores offer customers access to high-quality furniture, appliances, electronics and computers for sale or as a lease-ownership arrangement. Customers have the option of buying their merchandise for an attractive cash price or opting to lease their merchandise for even greater flexibility. With a lease option, customers make modest monthly payments and have the immediate use of the items they need without waiting for credit checks or other delays. Plus, Aaron’s will take care of delivery, setup, repairs, and more for the duration of a customer’s lease.

The Aaron’s concept has proven to be successful for half a century; in fact, the very first Aaron’s location opened in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1955. Aaron’s is a leader in the sale and lease ownership of residential furniture, consumer electronics and home appliances, with more than 1,500 Company-operated and franchised stores in 48 states and Canada. The Company also manufactures an exclusive line of furniture, bedding and accessories at 10 facilities in four states.

For more information, please visit shopaarons.com.

About Bill Elliott Racing:

In 2008, NASCAR legend Bill Elliott launched a Driver Development program as an extension of Bill Elliott Racing. Based on the principles of teamwork, strong work ethic and positive attitudes, the program aims to guide young drivers through the highs and lows of life in auto racing and to make them leaders on and off the track.

Drivers will climb through the ranks of asphalt racing, starting in the Legends Racing Series and move up to Pro Late Model stock cars – including the Georgia Asphalt Series (GAS) and ASA Racing – and onto Super Late Models in series such as the Champion Racing Association (CRA) Super Series. From there they will progress to the ARCA RE/MAX and other series that are age and talent specific. To encourage strong communication and clear feedback, drivers will also intermittently run dirt Late Models that reinforce car control and a thorough understanding of the feel of the car.

Please visit www.BillElliott.com for more information on the Bill Elliott Racing team and sponsors.

- Bill Elliott Racing

CONCORD, NC (November 23, 2009) – Tyler Millwood, who competed in the final round of 2009 Blizzard Series competition only two months ago, is gearing up to hit the track for not only next weekend’s Snowflake 100 at Five Flags Speedway but also the prestigious Snowball Derby at the Pensacola, Florida, track as well.

In preparation for running two of the biggest races of the Late Model season, Millwood and his team are checking over their cars one last time before heading south to the Florida Panhandle.

“We are mainly just going over the cars over and over again,” said Millwood. “We’re just checking them out and making sure everything is right and tight. We’re making sure every part is just as it should be so we don’t have any unexpected problems. We’ve got to do a little bit of body work after the World Crown but other than that we’re just checking everything out and making sure everything is good, nutting and bolting the cars.”

Millwood pulled double duty in both the Snowflake 100 and the Snowball Derby last year, so he knows what kind of stress is added by having to stay focused on two cars and two different races.

“It’s really not really too much extra mental stress,” explained Millwood. “But it is a lot more physical stress than anything because you’ve got to get in one car and get out of the other and continue switching back and forth all weekend. You’ve got two cars to get through tech, and qualify and then race. It’s just a lot of work to stay on top of. I wouldn’t say I’m worried about it, but there is definitely a lot physical work to be done once we get there.”

By running both events, Millwood and his team are relaying the message that they’re serious and are competing to win on one of the legendary race weekend in all of short track racing.

“It would mean a lot to me to win the Snowflake,” commented Millwood. “But to win the Snowball would be unimaginable because you’ve got all of the nation’s best racers there competing. Just to make the race is wonderful but to win it would be a dream come true.”

With his prior knowledge and experience, Millwood has formulated a strategy to bring home strong finishes in each race.

“We’re just going to go down there in a few weeks and do our best to stay on top of stuff and hope we’ve done everything right in preparing. And we’ll practice hard and work to make sure we get in both races and try to keep our noses clean and bring back two good finishes.”

For more on Tyler Millwood, please visit his website at www.tylermillwood.com.

- 51 Sports Press Release

PENSACOLA, FL (September 28, 2009) – Bubba Pollard, Johanna Long and Augie Grill all entered the “Miller Lite 100” Blizzard Series Super Late Model race at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida, looking to add to their win record during the season as well as take the championship in the final series event of the year. All three drivers had a shot at the title, with Pollard leading Long by 23 points and having a 44-point advantage over Grill. However, after a lap-one incident took Pollard out of the mix for both the win and the title, Long and Grill went head to head to determine who would win the race and the championship. The two drivers would split the day’s top honors, as Grill dominated the event up front winning the final 2009 series event, while Long was crowned the 2009 Blizzard Series’ Champion.

Pollard’s title hopes were dashed on a lap-one incident. While Grill and Long started on the front row, Pollard’s 12th-place starting position cost him a shot at the win and the title.

“The first problem I had was qualifying back there in 12th,” said Pollard. “I shouldn’t have been back there, so that is my fault. I guess a squirrel gets a nut every once in a while. We had some cars in front of us that shouldn’t have been there, but that is my fault. It is part of it. We came into this place without nothing, and we left with nothing. It is just another race track and just another day. It is part of racing and it happens.”

Up in front, Grill dominated the race from green to checkered, only losing the lead during a yellow-flag pit stop. The victory was his second win in the five-race series.

“It was a good race,” said Grill. “The car in the race was what I was hoping it would be. We did everything we had to. On the way down here, I knew all I could do is get as many points as I could get and let things fall where they fall. This is the same car we won with the race before, then had to clip it, front and rear, between then and now. It is a good car.

“I hate that happened to Bubba,” said Grill on Pollard’s early wreck. “I was looking forward to racing with him tonight.”

Behind Grill, Long ran second most of the event, but found herself in the fourth position towards the end of the race. With the points tightening up after qualifying, Long knew that she couldn’t fall back any further than she was. Her fourth-place finish gave her a five-point advantage over Grill, giving the 17-year-old Pensacola native her first Super Late Model championship and her second championship in a row at Five Flags, as she won the Pro Late Model title there last year.

“This year has been awesome,” said Long. “I couldn’t ask for a better season. It has been Bubba, Augie and myself all year. It stinks for Bubba, since I knew he was going to be up there.

“I knew that I was still racing Augie for the championship, so I had to stay behind him as much as I could. Our car was getting a little free at the end and I wore my tires out. I knew that if another car passed me I wouldn’t have the championship. He (Grill) was just so much better than me on the restarts. I wasn’t too good on them tonight.”

During the final few laps, Long and her crew knew exactly where they needed to be on the track. Crossing the line in fourth, a veteran racer was the first to give her congratulations.

“When I crossed the line, Freddy Query said on the radio that I was the champion, so that felt real good,” said Long. “I was just really excited. I was shocked at first because there are guys out here that have been racing this series for a long time, and for this being my first full-time season in the Super Late Model and win the championship, that is really big.”

Long and Grill are now locked into the 42nd Annual Snowball Derby in December with their top-two finishing positions in the 2009 Blizzard Series’ points.

“It maybe opens the door to try something in qualifying, possibly,” said Grill. “As good as this thing has run in qualifying the last few races, I don’t know if we want to try anything.”

“It is real big to get locked into the Snowball Derby,” explained Long. “You don’t know what could happen in qualifying. You could have the best car there, but on your qualifying lap something can happen that causes you not to make it in the show.

With one of the five 2009 Blizzard Series’ victories to his credit, Pollard finished the season third in points, which is valuable, considering if either Long or Grill qualifies in the Snowball Derby on time, the provisional spot would pass to him.

In the race, Casey Smith finished second to Grill and was followed by Hunter Robbins, Long and Chris Davidson.

Officially Long claimed the title over Grill by five points. Pollard, Smith and Eddie Mercer rounded out the top five in Blizzard Series 2009 points.

The 42nd Annual Snowball Derby weekend will take place December 2nd – 6th at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida.

For more information about Five Flags Speedway and the 42nd Annual Snowball Derby, please visit www.5flagsspeedway.com or contact the track by calling (850) 944-8400.

- 51 Sports Press Release

Johanna Long

Long, who blistered her home track’s {Pensacola’s Five Flags Speedway} qualifying track record last week en route to leading all 100 laps of the feature and winner of 2 out of 4 Super Late Model “Blizzard Series” races all leading up to the December 6th Super Bowl of Late Model racing at Five Flags – “The Snowball Derby” – …. will test her new, Toyota, DMS ARCA ride Wednesday, September 23rd at the famed Rockingham facility.

Stay Tuned for more updates as we draw closer to race day and we thank you for being a member of Friends of D’Hondt Motorsports.

- D’Hondt Motorsports Press Release

Johanna Long

“Our whole team is very excited to take Johanna to Iowa this weekend,” commented crew chief Billy Venturini. “She is a proven young talent in the late model ranks and I am excited at this opportunity to work with her, she is a racer at heart and I know she will get the job done.”

Even though the July 11th race will be Long’s first race with Venturini Motorsports and the ARCA RE/MAX Series, she has visited the famed track before. Long and her Venturini Motorsports No. 25 team participated in an open test at the Speedway earlier in the month. She quickly adapted to her new environment and found herself towards the top of the board all afternoon. Under the guidance of seasoned crew chief Billy Venturini, Long learned the car and walked away ready to get back racing.

“To have this opportunity to race a Venturini Motorsports car is truly an honor, and I am truly excited to see racing action this Saturday night,” commented an ecstatic Johanna Long. “This team (Venturini Motorsports) has continually proven themselves week in and week out, and after testing a few weeks ago I can see why. Not only was my car a rocket ship, it handled very well all day long.”

Long will be running the No. 25 Karl Chevrolet, Maui Shower Company, PME Engines Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS around the tight 7/8-mile speedway. Venturini Motorsports has prepared chassis No. 26 for Long, which last saw racing action earlier this season at Rockingham Speedway, where Alex Yontz wheeled it to a Top 10 finish.

“Johanna participated in the open test with us a few weeks ago, and she adapted very well. Once acclimated she quickly found herself at the top of the board, and that is a testament to her ability as well as our team’s driving force,” said Billy Venturini. “We are excited for Saturday night’s race and I know we will be a force to be reckoned with by evenings end.”

Make sure to catch the No. 25 Karl Chevrolet, Maui Shower Company, PME Engines Venturini Motorsports Chevrolet driven by ARCA RE/MAX Series rookie Johanna Long this weekend at Iowa Speedway. The Prairie Meadows 200 will have live audio and video at www.arcaracing.com at 8:00PM EST.

Also be sure to catch the Venturini Motorsports Power Hour every Thursday at 9:00PM EST exclusively on www.RaceFanRadio.com

For more information on Venturini Motorsports please visit www.venturinimotorsports.com

For more information on Johanna Long please visit www.johannalong.net

ARCA RE/MAX Series Logo

The 19-year-old driver circled the .875-mile short track in 23.138 seconds, an average speed of 136.140 mph. The one-lap track record was set by Steve Wallace in 2006 at 137.357 mph.

“We got to try a lot of different things today,” said Coulter. “We found out how the car reacts to big and small changes. We were really fast right out of the trailer, and then just adjusted on it little by little. After lunch, we made some really big changes, completely changed the set-up. Then, right before our quickest lap, we made our last adjustment – a combination of things, track bar, wedge and changed a couple shocks.

“It’s the same set-up that we’re using in the race, but we had the nose taped off and the tires set at qualifying pressures.”

Coulter, who has climbed to 6th in championship points, is on a role lately with three consecutive top-five finishes, including a career-best second at Mansfield last weekend.

“It’s the same situation as Mansfield. This will be my third time here at Iowa, so I could spend more time on how the car works on the track rather than having to spend all my time learning the track, or both.”

In all, 15 drivers tested in preparation for the next event on tour – the Prairie Meadows 200 at the Newton, Iowa track on Saturday, July 11.

ARCA RE/MAX Series rookie Austin Dillon, also in a Chevrolet, was second on the speed charts with a speed of 134.967 mph. Dillon, the grandson of Richard Childress Racing team owner Richard Childress, is also coming off a career-best run at Michigan Int’l Speedway where he finished second in mid-June.

Sixteen-year-old Chris Buescher was third on the charts in the Roulo Brothers-prepared David Ragan Fan Club Ford. The Prosper, Texas rookie posted a best speed of 134.495 mph.

NASCAR Camping World East Series racer/winner Brian Ickler was fourth overall at 134.088 mph.

Johanna Long, in a Venturini Motorsports-prepared Chevrolet, made her first laps in an ARCA RE/MAX Series car in the open test, posting the fifth best speed overall at 133.786 mph. Long, 17, recently made headlines at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida with a victory in the super late model Blizzard Series. Long dominated the 100-lap race from the pole leading the most laps en route to the win, her second triumph in three attempts in the Blizzard Series at Five Flags.

There was only one on-track incident when Tim George, Jr. spun off turn four and backed into the outer retaining wall. He was not injured.

Dakoda Armstrong, in a Cunningham Motorsports Dodge, made the most laps during the open test circling the track 111 times.

2009 ARCA RE/MAX Series Open Testing
Iowa Speedway, Newton IA, 6-30-09
Overall Results

NO DRIVER/HOMETOWN CAR TIME SPEED

16 Joey Coulter/Miami Springs FL Chevrolet 23.138 136.140

31 Austin Dillon/Welcome NC Chevrolet 23.339 134.967

17 Chris Buescher/Prosper TX Ford 23.421 134.495

51 Brian Ickler/Mooresville NC Toyota 23.492 134.088

25 Johanna Long/Pensacola FL Chevrolet 23.545 133.786

6 Justin Lofton/Westmorland CA Toyota 23.689 132.973

32c James Buescher/Plano TX Toyota 23.706 132.878

32b Matt Merrell/Portland TX Toyota 23.780 132.464

4 Dakoda Armstrong/New Castle IN Dodge 23.787 132.425

60 Patrick Sheltra/Indiantown FL Dodge 23.839 132.136

20 Steve Arpin/Fort Frances ON Toyota 23.853 132.059

81 Craig Goess/Greenville NC Toyota 23.854 132.053

2 Tim George Jr./New York NY Toyota 23.995 131.277

36a Robb Brent/Shelby Township MI Dodge 24.045 131.004

32a Matt Merrell/Portland TX Toyota 24.066 130.890

58 Chad Hackenbracht Chevrolet 24.276 129.758

36b Robb Brent/Shelby Township MI Dodge 24.628 127.903

- ARCA Press ReleaseMNa