19-year old Johanna Long became the youngest girl racer in history to drive in the Nationwide Series. She finished 21st in the season opening Drive4COPD 300. In an interview with USA Today Johanna talks of constant comparisons with Danica Patrick, the only other girl racer in Nascar: "I guess you expect it I guess, because people like to root for different people. But I really don't, like, compare myself to anyone else. I'm just another driver out there in a 43-car field, and I'm out there worried about myself and my car."
Johanna Long drives the #70 Foretravel Chevy Impala, in a two year deal with the ML Motorsport Nationwide team. Because of a lack of sponsors, Johanna Long can only afford to race in 21 out of the 33 races in the Nationwide schedule. On being one of the few girl racers in a male dominated sport, Johanna Long tells USA Today: "When I first started racing go-karts, I knew it was going to be about that, but I never really like to pay attention to that. I'm just another driver trying to make it in the world of NASCAR, trying to run the best I can."
Yeah, I guess it’s normal to make comparisons between her and Danica Patrick, who also made history in racing. But from her interview, I think she’s perfectly capable of putting up with it. After all, being a rookie driver that she is, she knows better than to get distracted by the commotion.
ReplyDelete