SPARTAN SNAPSHOTS
by Michelle Sprague
The following is an interview with Dane Long, 2005 and 2006 track champion of the Street Stock, now Sportsman division, at Spartan Speedway.
Michelle: Tell me a little about the man behind the wheel of the 7L. Family, interests, etc.
Dane: I married Stephanie on Nov. 5, 2005. No children. The Long family includes my mom Marty, dad Bill, my brother Marc and his wife Alys, and two nieces, Brennan and Bailey. I work at Auto Value in Lansing.
Michelle: To what, or whom, do you owe your success behind the wheel? Man or machine?
Dane: It takes good equipment, plenty of knowledge, and lots of hard work away from the track. I also like to think that I can drive quite well.
Michelle: Who serves as your crew at the shop and the track?
Dane: My dad, Bill Long (Letters by Long sponsor), my brother, Marc Long, father-in-law, Scott King (Tasty Twist sponsor), my friend, Paul Yager (Cottage Inn Pizza of Holt sponsor), and brother-in-law, Tommy Ackels.
Michelle: Your truck is so consistent every week. Does one person do the set-up each week, or is it a group effort?
Dane: Consistency comes from great notes and just being smooth with the controls. I'm pretty much the set-up guy, as I can tell what the truck needs. I take info from my crew, who informs me of what they see during laps.
Michelle: Last season, Jon McNett drove the truck, and you returned the favor by driving his Super Late. Is this something that you might pursue one day, or have you found your niche in the Sportsman division?
Dane: I have driven a Super Late before, and that class requires a great amount of money that I don't care to spend. Contrary to popular belief, I am on a limited budget. Others believe that I have unlimited funds. I have other hobbies that require financial attention. Someday, I would like to try my hand behind the wheel of a sprint car.
As far as Jon driving the truck, it was David Lemon's idea, of D & L Concrete, to let him drive while I was in Sturgis for the Harley rally. Jon and I go way back. My brother has also driven for me. He drove the truck on Fun Night, and also drove a full season a couple of years ago.
Michelle: A Harley flag flies in your pit stall. What do you own and how many?
Dane: I do own Harleys, another great "family", as the racing "family" is! I own a 2002 Fatboy and a 2006 Street Glide. My brother and dad each own two (one of which, the 1999 Fatboy, is for sale). My mom and my father-in-law each own one. As you can see, I spend a lot of time with my family, whether it be racing or on the Harleys.
Michelle: What piece of advice can you give anyone who may be interested in driving a race car?
Dane: I feel anyone wanting to get into racing needs to find a team to help with for a year or so and learn from them. Be honest with them. Do not steal info and then go out on your own. Be honest and up front with them, telling them of your plans to be in your own car someday. Not being honest will cause hard feelings towards anything you do!
Michelle: Congratulations on your back-to-back championships at Spartan Speedway. Are you going for the hat trick?
Dane: Thanks a lot! Number two was not in our plans, as the Sturgis rally was. We knew we would miss at least two nights of racing, with Damon Place, Ron Heeney, and Jack Koone running as hard as they did, we thought that those two nights off would erase any hopes of a back-to-back. We had an awesome start to the season, and sometimes luck is not a bad tool to have in your toolbox! Naturally, the hat trick would be awesome, but with Damon, Ron and Jack, and Rob and Ben and Landon being back in competition, it will be tough. Not many have accomplished that feat, maybe Doug Finley and Jon McNett in my era. I'm sorry if I left out the racers from past years that may have accomplished this as well. I am a first generation racer, having been to a short track race maybe six times prior to my freshman year in 1997. Boy, was I missing out!
Michelle: When Jeff Gordon was winning everything in sight in NASCAR, crowds were booing him. After many of your wins this past season, boos were heard coming from the stands. I know that the big boys say that "it's a sign the fans are paying attention." Its got to be tough though. Any thoughts on this?
Dane: That's all that can be said. If you're booing me, that means you're watching me, or I just beat your favorite driver. One thing I would like to ask is this, even if you do dislike a driver, please support his/her sponsors anyway. Without their sponsors, your favorite driver would not have anyone to race against. These sponsors make it possible for short track racing to exist.
Michelle: Do you race anywhere else besides Spartan? Why or why not (besides the cost)?
Dane: I keep Saturdays, at a slower pace, open for family and friends. Sometimes, I get pretty worked up at the track and just like to relax on Saturdays, maybe spectate as well.
I have become a huge short-track fan, and will be out more on Saturdays to support Springport, if they are able to re-open this year for some shows. Springport is an awesome track to drive, and also be a spectator at. I do not want this track to become a memory. I have raced at Spartan, Springport, Owosso, Palo (Muir), and Butler.
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