22-year-old did not compete in any NASCAR national series in 2014
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Mike Affarano Motorsports announced Wednesday that Johanna Long will drive for the team in select NASCAR XFINITY and Camping World Truck Series events this season.
Long is scheduled to make her debut in the No. 03 Chevrolet in the XFINITY Series opener, the Alert Today Florida 300 at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 21 (3:30 p.m. ET, FOX Sports 1).
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“I’m grateful for the opportunity to race this season with Mike Affarano Motorsports,” Long said in a statement provided by the team. “In a time when drivers are pressured to bring sponsorship money to teams in order to race, it was great to have my phone ring and be approached because of my talent.”
Long, a 22-year-old native of Pensacola, Florida, last competed in a NASCAR national series in 2013 with a 20-race schedule in what was then the NASCAR Nationwide (now XFINITY) Series. Her best effort in her 41-race XFINITY career — all spent with team owner Mary Louise Miller — was 12th place on three occasions.
Affarano’s team will be making its first steps into the XFINITY ranks. The team added equipment from the former Turner Scott Motorsports organization in the offseason.
“We are thrilled to have Johanna behind the wheel for 2015,” Affarano stated. “She has such drive and determination that will represent our team well on and off the track, and we know she’s great with attracting sponsors and fans. We’re looking forward to growing and progressing as a company together this season.”