Johanna Long is proud of her team’s effort and believes a second season together will provide added benefits. “We’re working on everything as a team,” Long said. “I know the team is working incredibly hard on everything back at the shop including our pit stops.
We take notes at the end of every race and again at the end of the season and we’re going to focus on improving at every level.” Long signed a two-year deal with ML Motorsports prior to the 2012 season and hasn’t placed too much importance on joining a larger team. While she wants to be more competitive and continue to improve, she’s focused on impressing with ML Motorsports before entertaining the notions of free agency.
It’s easy to forget that she is just 20 years old. After all, she entered the Truck Series at age 18 and has quietly risen through the ranks ever since. She hasn’t set a timetable for her progression but definitely has her sights set on someday competing in the Sprint Cup Series. “When I was younger, I had a timetable,” Long said. “Now I understand that you have to have the right people take a chance on you and provide the opportunity. It’s hard to set a timetable but I definitely want to work my way towards the Sprint Cup Series.”
Long and ML Motorsports have yet to finalize their 2013 plans but expect to run a similar schedule to last year barring an increase in funding. The team ran 22 of 33 races last season and finished 20th in the overall standings. (SB Nation)
