Josh Long, a mechanic on the road crew team roster for Big Machine Racing — the No. 48 NASCAR Xfinity Series team — has passed away. The team confirmed the passing of their friend and colleague on Thursday night.
Long was 33-years old according to the NASCAR Team Roster Portal.
Crew Chief Patrick Donahue released a statement, where he issued thoughts and prayers for Long’s family, friends and loved ones:
“This afternoon, we were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our own. Josh Long was an outstanding teammate, racer and friend, always putting everything he has into everything he did. His loss is a great one for all of us here at Big Machine Racing, as we’re sure it is for many in the racing community. Our thoughts and prayers are with Josh’s family and all of his loved ones. We’ll be racing with heavy hearts this weekend.”
Long has served as a mechanic on the road crew for Big Machine Racing since the May 29th event at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Before moving to Big Machine Racing, Long had served as a mechanic for SS Green Light Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series as well as Jordan Anderson Racing and On Point Motorsports in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in 2021.
Long leaves behind his partner Jenn and their seven year old son Trevor. According to a GoFundMe that has been initiated to raise money for Long’s family, the couple had just learned that they were expecting their second child before Long’s passing.
At the time of this story being published, the Go Fund Me has reached $8,980 raised of the $15,000 goal.
Following the news of Long’s passing going public, many in the motorsports world shared memories of the mechanic as well as condolences for his family.
JD Motorsports, where Long had previously worked, shared a photo of Long with Jenn and Trevor on Twitter.
It is with extremely heavy hearts we learn about the passing of Josh Long.
Former JDM employee, racer, mechanic, but most of all a friend.
Our deepest condolences to the Long family, @bigmchnracing family, and all that knew him ?#GodspeedJosh pic.twitter.com/wD0roL06nw
— JD Motorsports (@JDMotorsports01) September 30, 2021
According to another of Long’s previous employers On Point Motorsports, the 33-year old passed from complications from COVID-19.
We are sadden to announce a former employee of ours, Josh Long, passed away from COVID19.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the long family as they go through this difficult time.
Donations: https://t.co/5iH9csMfzl
— On Point Motorsports (@OnPMotorsports) September 30, 2021
Brad Perez, who works as a tire specialist at Martins Motorsports and Rackley WAR Racing, and has also run an ARCA Menards Series race as a driver in 2021, tweeted that Long was one of the nicest and genuine people he has ever been around.
there aren't many people i can call friends this far away from home, but @jlong_71 was one of them, you have no idea how much i'm gonna miss you dude. one of the nicest and genuine people i've been around, i can't believe this
— bread perez (@bradxperez) September 30, 2021
