ML Motorsports, owned by Mary Louise Miller, announced Thursday that Johanna Long will drive the No. 70 Chevrolet for the 2012 and 2013 Nationwide Series seasons.
Long, a Pensacola, Fla., native, began her NASCAR career in 2011, driving a limited schedule in the Truck Series for Panhandle Motorsports with a career -best finish of 11th in the WinStar World Casino 400k at Texas Motor Speedway. At 19, Long becomes the youngest female driver to compete in the Nationwide Series.
“I’m excited to join ML Motorsports, and I’m honored to have the support of Mary Louise,” Long said. “As a female team owner in NASCAR, Mary Louise is an inspiration to me. I believe all the pieces are in place at ML Motorsports to achieve success in 2012, and I can’t wait to get started.”
Miller, one of the few female owners in NASCAR, is known as a big supporter of women in racing.
“Johanna is a strong driver and a dynamic young lady, and we are excited to have her on board,” Miller said. “She has a great competitive spirit; we believe she has everything it takes to succeed at the highest levels of NASCAR competition.”
Long began racing at the age of eight, accumulating numerous wins at tracks across the Southeast. At 14, she joined the late model scene and in 2008, racked up several wins en route to becoming the first female and youngest driver to win a track championship at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola.
ML Motorsports PR
