Local ties are strong at NASCAR pitstop in Portland

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The NASCAR Xfinity Series stopped by Portland International Raceway over the weekend and one local athlete, Eric Johnson Jr., got the rare opportunity to compete in front of his home crowd.

The 22-year-old from La Center, Washington debuted in the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) Menards Series West in 2023 and since then has seen two top-10 finishes over only four ARCA starts.

Johnson placed ninth in the ARCA Menards Series at PIR and took to social media to share his thoughts on competing in so close to home.

“Oh Portland, where do I even start. All I’ve ever wanted was to drive racecars. I never considered or expected support, especially the magnitude we saw this weekend,” he posted on Instagram. “Seeing folks in our merch and cheering us on is something I’ll never get used to. To all our supporters and partners who came out to watch, thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 𝐄𝐫𝐢𝐜 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐉𝐫. (@ericjr.racing)

Another racer got the chance to represent a local university at PIR as Oregon State partnered with Sam Hut Racing and Dean Thompson to create a Beavers themed car covered in logos, black, and orange. This is one of the few partnerships NASCAR has done with an NCAA school this year.

Thompson qualified in 22nd place, but had some issues midway through the race and ended up finishing in 32nd.