PENSACOLA, FL :: Johanna Long says a victory on Sunday afternoon in the Snowball Derby would feel just as special as her first due to working with fellow Pensacola natives in Scott Carlson Racing this weekend at Five Flags Speedway. Long has not won a race since her Derby breakthrough back in 2010 and it’s a point of contention for the former NASCAR Nationwide Series driver.

“I haven’t won a race since 2010 but the Carlson family — they have been trying to win this race just as long as my family did. So to win this for them would be like winning it for the first time all over again.

“But again, I haven’t won a race since 2010 I feel like doing it again but for these guys would be such a huge confidence booster.”

The weekend got off to a fantastic start for the 22-year-old when she qualified on the outside pole for the race, alongside boyfriend Hunter Robbins. Long says it was a special moment on numerous fronts as there is a considerable amount of synergy between the two of them and their respective teams.

“I just know how many hours he puts into his car and how hard he works so it was special for me just to see him earn this. I’ve put in a few hours of helping them too so I have a little bit of pride in it as well.”

It’s been a long time since Long has looked so comfortable and confident in a Late Model.

While in the Nationwide Series, she wasn’t able to spend as much time focusing on short track racing as she would have liked and it showed in her results. She joined Carlson Racing in the spring and again struggled to find consistency with their No. 21 Subaru in four Southern Super Series races at Five Flags Speedway.

She didn’t even finish in the top-10 in those four starts, making her outside pole run all the more remarkable.

“I’m just in a good spot working with Scott Carlson and Brandon and everyone else who has been working real hard — my dad too,” Long said. “This effort means a lot that we have worked so hard and to see it pay off.”

Long won the Snowball Derby in 2010 by spinning out Landon Cassill in the closing laps. She conceded that if she finds herself in a similar position on Sunday, she will again do whatever it takes to return to Victory Lane.

“For sure, (I will do whatever it takes) because that’s what you do,” Long said. “You take it because you never know when you will get another opportunity to win another race — especially the Snowball Derby. You have to get the opportunity first and foremost but then the chances and run with it.”

But would she do whatever it takes against her boyfriend?

Stay tuned.