19-year-old, Eric Johnson Jr from La Center, Washington will race a part-time schedule for Bill McAnally Racing in the 2023 NASCAR ARCA Menards West Series. Over the last two seasons, Eric Jr has worked as a crew member/spotter for drivers such as Derek Kraus, Jesse Love, Cole Moore, and many more under the BMR banner in hopes of educating himself on the cars prior to ever racing in the series.
Scheduled to make his series debut at his home track, Portland International Raceway, Eric wrote the following when asked about this announcement. “Since my first day at the racetrack, countless people have opened doors for me and continue to support me through new milestones that I’ll cherish forever. The chance to drive one of Bill McAnally’s cars is truly a humbling, once in a lifetime opportunity that I am beyond grateful for! After witnessing BMR’s impressive execution from a crew member's point of view, I’m fully confident that this team will provide me with the best chance possible to produce a respectable finish in the ARCA West Series..”
“Racing in a series of this caliber is something I’ve dreamt of since I could first walk, let alone ever drive a racecar. While this is the next step forward in what I hope to make my career someday, I fully intend on absorbing each moment at these events as a memory of their own but also as tools to learn from. The young race fan inside of me would expect nothing less! If nothing else, this just goes to show where the collaborative efforts of so many selfless individuals can get someone like myself. I may be the one holding the steering wheel, but I would have never got here without the help of so many people that have assisted me along the way. We’re going racing in NASCAR. I’ve dreamt of saying that my entire life.”
The 19-year-old from La Center, WA plans to continue serving as a crew member in the races he is not participating in while searching for further funding to race in additional events. Follow for more updates.
-Eric Jr Racing Press Release