Photo Courtesy of Speed51.com
Written by Chuck Corder News Journal correspondent
Mike Garvey came to Five Flags Speedway with the Pro Late Model track championship already locked up. He could’ve cruised around the famed half-mile, asphalt oval on the Whataburger Night of Champions, finished dead last and still won the crown. But that’s not Mike Garvey. The veteran driver with the NASCAR resume took control of the final Allen Turner Pro Late Model 100 on Lap 33 and dominated the final 67 laps.
It was Garvey’s fourth win of the five PLM 100 lappers this season, but it was a fight as he had to hold off a hard-charging Johanna Long down the stretch. “I tell you what I got out front too early and I used too much,” Garvey said. “It’s a great way to end season. We’ve had a great series in pro car.”
Long’s trip home was certainly well worth it. The NASCAR Nationwide Series rookie won the pole (17.082 seconds) in the Tommy Rollins-owned No. 11 and the way she closed certainly reminded folks of her run to her 2010 Snowball Derby win. “I have to thank Tommy Rollins for giving me the opportunity to come out in front of al these fans,” Long said. “It was awesome. Between my dad, family and the whole crew, they all worked really hard on this car.”
Long had a realistic shot to win the 100 lapper in the closing laps. She started 10th after the invert, but climbed through the field and was fourth for most of the race. Long shoved her way past Chris Davidson for second by Lap 90 and was smothering the Garvey’s bumper the rest of the way. She just couldn’t seem to time her move underneath Garvey correctly and that was what ultimately cost her.
“I have to thank Johanna for running me clean because I was loose, loose, loose,” Garvey said. What a way for the regular season to end at Five Flags.
Now, the track will undergo some quick renovations before the 45th annual Snowball Derby gets here beginning the last week of November and first weekend in December.
Long already has her eyes on exacting some revenge and giving her adoring public another reason to cheer. “This was the best car I’ve had since the (2010) Derby,” she said. “I hope we hit on something and can be strong at the Derby once again.”
