By Matt Weaver (PENSACOLA, Fla.) — It’s like starting all over again for Johanna Long.

The popular Long is not entered in Saturday’s NASCAR Nationwide Series race in Charlotte. It’s not because she lost the determination, will or talent that once made her an intriguing prospect. Like so many before her, she simply lost her ride.

Long has an enviable pedigree.

At just 21 years old, Long has already won the prestigious Snowball Derby, made a handful of NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts and has two years of sporadic Nationwide starts. She is in the sweet spot of a prospects career — at the crossroads of youth and experience but has seemingly been passed over by the elite team owners.

As a result, Long was back home in Pensacola, racing at her home track, Five Flags Speedway in the second-year Southern Super Series Late Model tour. Long wants desperately to return and says that she is nearing closer to securing a deal that will see her return to the upper echelon of stock car racing later this summer.

“Right now it’s all about trying to find sponsorship that can take me back to the next level,” Long told Popular Speed on Friday. “When my team (ML Motorsports) shut down last year, I lost my ride — which was understandable — but it was a reminder to keep pressing forward to get back to Nationwide or somewhere in NASCAR.

“That’s what it’s all about and love racing, I miss it and it kills me to not be there.”

Long says she has been humbled by the number of “big name teams” that have reached out to her but conceded that she has to work diligently at supplying the funding to join them.

“We are working really hard,” Long said. “We have some leads right now and are presenting them to different teams and them to the sponsors. So I think that by the end of the year, you should see me back out there but if you don’t, it’s not because I’ve given up. You’ve got to keep on digging.”

Despite the frustrations of having to bring money, Long says she kept her calm during the whole process, believing it to be a part of the ebbs and flows of being a professional race car driver. It’s also served as a reminder for Long to improve her entire game — both in the seat and in the boardroom.

“It’s all part of being a NASCAR driver and you can’t allow it get you down,” Long said. “In racing there are always ups and down and there are always more downs. But I believe that once you get over the hill, it’s easier to stay there.

“We just have to keep on working hard. I know that I can do it and all I need is the right opportunity to get me there. All I need is to find that team that believes I can stay there next time.”

EMAIL MATT AT matt.weaver@popularspeed.com

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