ML Motorsports, the Warsaw-based NASCAR Nationwide Series team owned by Mary Louise Miller, is in search of a new driver for the 2014 season. Johanna Long has spent the past two seasons behind the wheel of the No. 70 Chevy, but her contract is up and team manager Tony Barnes said Monday afternoon the team is exploring other options. “Her contract was up after two years, and we decided to go in a different direction,” said Barnes. Long, a 21-year-old native of Pensacola, Fla., who now lives in Charlotte, N.C., competed in 41 races with ML Motorsports during the past two seasons. She posted a best finish of 12th three times during that span – at Daytona, Iowa and Kentucky – and finished 23rd in the 2013 driver standings. In her 41 career Nationwide Series races, Long’s average starting position is 21st, while her average finish is 23rd. She finished on the lead lap nine times. “I knew after this season I was going to be a free agent,” Long said in story published in her hometown newspaper, the Pensacola News Journal. “I am grateful for the opportunity ML Motorsports gave me.” Barnes said he has received numerous resumés and phone calls about the open seat, including interest from three drivers with Sprint Cup Series experience. “We have the equipment,” said Barnes. “With our cars and technical support from Richard Childress Racing, and our engines from Earnhardt-Childress Racing engines, we’ve got a good package. We’d like to know exactly what we have.” Barnes didn’t give a timetable for hiring a driver, but did note the annual test at Daytona is next month. The 2014 Nationwide Series season opener is scheduled for Feb. 23 at Daytona.
