USAR: Rockingham Speedway spotlight - Carl Long

Carl Long Looking Forward to his Return to Rockingham

ROCKINGHAM, N.C. (October 29, 2008) -- During the 2004 NASCAR Sprint Cup race at the Rockingham Speedway, Carl Long made a name for himself and got thrown into the spotlight -- unfortunately it was because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time and barrel rolled several times down the backstretch.

"I was on older tires and trying to stay out of the way," said Long. "Then Brendan Gaughan and Joe Nemechek got together and spun down into me and turned me into the wall and the right front tire climbed the wall which turned me over down the backstretch."

Despite the bad memory of that race Long does not feel that the Rockingham Speedway owes him anything. When asked he simply replies "naw" and talks about his Long Brother racing team he will be driving for this weekend is the same team he finished 28th with during the Nationwide Series race the same weekend.

This weekend Long is preparing for the Black's Tire American 200 the final race of the 2008 Hooters Pro Cup season.

"I don't think I have an advantage because I have raced Rockingham before," said Long. "There are so many great drivers in the series that have experience on big tracks that it won't matter."

"I think it is going to be a great race and I expect the draft to be a factor," said Long. "If I wasn't racing I would buy a ticket because it is going to be a great one to watch."

To see Carl Long in his return to the Rockingham Speedway and watch the championship battle between Benny Gordon, Mark McFarland and Jay Fogleman, don't miss the Black's Tire American 200 this Saturday at 1:00 p.m.

Tickets will be going fast with reserved seats starting at $25 and kids 12 and under are free with a paid adult. A special John Anderson concert will be held following the race and is included in the ticket price as well. Call the Rockingham Speedway ticket office to order your reserved seats today at 910-205-8800 or visit www.rockinghamspeedway.com.

-credit: rs