Eric Jr Claims Top-5 Finish With New Team To Kick-Off 2025

Eric Jr's No.5 Pacific Office Automation/Sherwin Williams Toyota Camry

January 25th, 2025, marked the start of a new chapter for Eric Johnson Jr. as he took the wheel of the No. 5 car for Jerry Pitts Racing at the ARCA Series West race at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway. Fresh off a Rookie of the Year season in 2024, the young driver had made the switch from Bill McAnally Racing, where he piloted the No. 19 car. The anticipation surrounding his debut with his new team was felt, and Johnson was eager to show that his success in 2024 was no fluke.

The weekend started on a high note. Eric topped the practice charts, signaling that he had the speed to contend with the best in the field. The early success set the tone for what was to come, but the true test would come in qualifying and the race itself. Despite the high expectations, Eric rose to the challenge, earning his best qualifying result in the series with a 5th-place starting position.

The race itself proved to be a unique challenge. With only one set of tires available for the entire 150-lap event, drivers were forced to be strategic in their tire management. The conditions at Kern Raceway were different from years past, with tire conservation playing a crucial role in the outcome. The drivers who could balance speed and tire preservation would have the upper hand as the race wore on.

Eric’s strategy for the race was one of caution early on, as he focused on keeping his tires in good shape for the latter stages of the event. However, as the laps clicked off, it became evident that even with careful management, tire wear was still a factor that would require constant adjustments. By the final laps, Eric was fighting to hold on to his position, ultimately crossing the finish line in 5th place.

Reflecting on the race, Eric couldn’t help but feel a mix of emotions. “It felt so nice to start the year off with a top-5,” he said with a slight grin. “I'd be lying if I said I'm not slightly frustrated with myself for not saving some more tire for the end, but all things considered, it's a good thing when a bad day is a top-5. That's a new thing for me here.” He continued, “Honestly, it's the first time I've been in a car that felt capable of winning at one of these events. For the first time, I had to figure out not only how to go fast but how to win, which is a challenge I’m excited for going into this season. We have all the right pieces, I can feel it. We just need to put them together in the right order to capitalize.”

Finishing 5th was undoubtedly a solid result, but for Eric Johnson Jr., the bigger picture was clear. The race was a reminder of how far he had come, and more importantly, how much potential lay ahead for him with Jerry Pitts Racing. As the season moved forward, Eric knew that the team had the tools to win, and he was ready to rise to the challenge of turning that potential into victory.

The 2025 ARCA Series West season was just beginning, and Eric Johnson Jr. was ready to prove that he wasn’t just a fast driver, but a future champion in the making.