LIMA — Champions aren’t made overnight. No matter what the sport is, to be the best you have to prepare the best. Justin Long has understood the importance of preparation as he tries to win back-to-back Bud Thunderstocks titles at Limaland. Long and company will be next week when Limaland begins its 83rd season of racing.
“For us, consistency has been key the last two years,” Long said. “Last year we had two wins and four second-place finishes. That put us in position to win at the end of the season.”
The 2017 season at Limaland had several rainouts. Even though Mother Nature prevented several races from happening, Long made the most of his nights off.
“Whenever there is a rainout, we go right back to working on the car,” Long said. “We make sure everything is working right and get it ready for the next week.”
Obviously being the 2017 track champion at Limaland puts a target on Long’s back, but he has put even more work into this past offseason.
“We did an aggressive rebuild to the back half of our car,” Long said. “We also purchased a second car. Now we have a two-car team and that gives us a full plate. We intend to travel outside the area some and compete with that second car. We believe having two cars puts us in a good position to compete.”
Now with a productive offseason behind him, Long is excited to get things going for the 2018 season.
“Our plan this year is the same as it was last year and the year before that,” Long said. “We want to run in the top five of every race. Anytime we’re running up front, we’re in position to win that night and that will help us compete for a championship at the end of the season.”
Championships and Friday night wins are great, but Long might enjoy something even more at Limaland.
“My family and sponsors make the whole program tick,” Long said. “Without them we wouldn’t be doing what we’re doing. It’s a total family thing for me. My wife and two daughters are always there. My parents both come out along with my brother and his fiancé. That’s what makes it fun.”
Limaland is making the 2018 season the “Year of the Sprints.” All but one of the races will have the K&L Ready Mix NRA Sprint Invaders, the Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions, 305 FAST Series, Non Wing Sprints, or the BOSS series competing.
“I think they’re (Limaland) trying to appeal to a lot of different fans,” Long said. “Ohio is definitely sprint car country. I think it’s great for the track.”
Some highlight races this year include: Modified Mayhem (May 11), The 19th annual Memorial (May 25), the 18th annual Run for the Rabbit (June 1), Championship Night (Aug. 2) and the final night of racing is scheduled for Aug. 11. The final race of the season is an invitational race where the Bud Thunderstocks, K&N Filter Modifieds and the K&L Ready Mix Sprint Invaders compete for the King of the Quarter Mile.
All of the races are important, but Long has been very successful at one in particular.
“We won the Memorial last year and would like to defend our title this year,” Long said. “It was our first win last year and I think it really propelled us for the rest of the season.”
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