MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Aug. 1, 2011) – Johanna Long and her No. 20 Panhandle Grading & Paving team were very optimistic going into Friday night’s AAA Insurance 200 at Lucas Oil Raceway after two solid practice sessions were followed by Long qualifying her Toyota Tundra in the 13th starting position. Long’s high spirits faded quickly after contact with the No. 23 of Jason White resulted in an early spin. After restarting in the 32nd position, the young driver stayed focused and picked off trucks one-by-one, earning a solid 17th-place finish at the .686-mile bullring.
Long’s day began early Friday morning at Lucas Oil Raceway as she took to the track for the first practice session. Long informed her team that her No. 20 machine was extremely loose as they ended the first practice session in 24th. The team worked hard to get Long’s family-owned Panhandle Grading & Paving Toyota Tundra to rotate effortlessly around the corners, and Long improved to 18th on the charts in final practice.
Going into qualifying, Long was pleased with her truck. She went on to qualify 13th for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event, her second-best starting spot of the 2011 season.
As the green flag dropped for Friday night’s AAA Insurance 200, Long and the No. 23 connected, sending her No. 20 for a spin. Long was relieved that there was no damage to her Toyota Tundra but frustrated to restart 32nd when she returned to green flag racing on lap 5. With a clean restart and determination to race back to the front during the 200-lap event, Long picked off seven trucks before the second caution period of the night.
After pitting for fuel and four fresh Goodyear tires, Long restarted in the 25th position on lap 56. Long continued to battle tight and loose conditions throughout the first half of the race as she radioed to crew chief Kevin “Cowboy” Starland that her truck was free in the center of the corners and tight on exit. When the third caution flag waved on lap 78, the 19-year-old pitted for fuel and a track bar adjustment.
Restarting on lap 83, Long continued to pass trucks as she took over the 22nd position. The last caution of the night came out on lap 89, and the No. 20 Panhandle Motorsports team stayed on track. Long restarted in the 21st position and was running 19th by lap 150. As her tires slowly wore down, Long stayed positive and continued to lay down solid laps. After racing on the same tires for 133 laps, Long crossed the finish line and registered a strong, 17th-place finish.
Long and her No. 20 Panhandle Grading & Paving Toyota Tundra plan to return to NASCAR Camping World Truck Series action at Bristol Motor Speedway on Wednesday, August 24. Live coverage of the event will begin on SPEED at 7:30 pm EDT.
About Johanna Long:
Johanna Long, one of the youngest drivers in the elite NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, races the No. 20 Pan Handle Grading & Paving Toyota Tundra for family-owned Panhandle Motorsports. The 19-year-old began racing at the age of eight, quickly moving from go-karts to Legends cars to a Late Model. 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 at the track in 2010. For more information on Johanna, please visit www.JohannaLong.com.
