LIMA — Last Friday night gave racing fans a taste of what they hope will be another great season at Limaland Motorsports Park. Great weather, a fast track and talented drivers swarmed to Limaland. Jordan Conover won in the Bud Thunderstocks last week, while Jeff Koz and Jared Horstman won in the K&N Filter Modifieds and the K&L Ready Mix NRA Sprint Invaders respectively.
Another one of those talented drivers was Justin Long, who competes in the Bud Thunderstock division.
Long and company will be on hand tonight at the Spring Fling — Presented by S&S Volvo at Limaland. The pit gate opens at 4:30 and racing begins at 7:30.
Long was the Limaland Motorsports Park 2016 Sportsman of the Year.
“I took a lot of pride in winning that award,” Long said. “To be recognized for the way you conduct yourself on and off the track is really special. It took a lot of effort (last season) and we pride ourselves on effort.”
After competing last week, Long was happy to be back in his stock car.
“It felt great,” Long said. “We had a really fast car. We blew a tire in the feature. In spite of that, we’re hoping for a big year this year.”
Long has been competing for quite some time and knows that success in racing doesn’t come easy.
“I’ve been racing a long time and stayed at it,” Long said. “Success doesn’t come overnight. We don’t always have the best car or equipment but through perseverance and keeping at it, good things can happen.”
As for the 2017 season, Long has two main goals that he hopes to accomplish.
“The first goal is to be in the top five every week,” Long said. “We want to be competitive. We have a good and fast car. Our second goal is that if we are able to remain in the top five week in and week out. We hope that leads into more feature wins.”
Being a lifelong Limaland fan, it’s been quite the ride for Long competing at his home track.
“I really enjoy them all (the races),” Long said. “Anytime going out and racing on a Friday night at Limaland is a special thing to us.”
For results of Friday night’s races check out the Sunday edition of The Lima News.
