Full Throttle

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.”

“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.”

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.