Eric Jr & Team Rally to Another Top-5 Finish at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway

Eric Jr Racing
Jun 14
4 min read

Updated: 4 days ago

Bakersfield, CA — ARCA Menards Series West | Round 5 of 12 (June 14th)

This past weekend at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway, the No. 5 Pacific Office Automation Toyota Camry Race Team and driver Eric Johnson Jr. showed what real perseverance looks like, battling through mechanical issues, extreme heat, and a tail-of-the-field starting spot to claim yet another Top-5 finish in the 2025 NASCAR ARCA Menards Series West season.

Racing out of La Center, Washington, and representing Jerry Pitts Racing based in Pahrump, Nevada, Eric Jr. entered the weekend third in the championship standings, right in the middle of a tight five-driver title fight. But from the start, things didn’t come easy.

Early Setbacks & Mechanical Hurdles

During qualifying, a failed right-rear axle seal coated the tire in oil, causing a spin on the track. Eric managed to skillfully control the car, avoiding the wall and preventing further damage, but the incident forced the team to give up their qualifying position and start from the back. “Our guys worked fast and smart,” Eric said. “We had almost no time before the race started, but they diagnosed and repaired the issue just in time to get us to the grid. That kind of hustle kept us in this fight.”

Fighting Through the Heat & Handling Woes

With trackside temperatures near 100°F and in-car temperatures pushing 140°F, the physical demands were at a season high. Following the race, the physical impact was noticeable. The team took Eric back to the hauler on a golf kart following the race as a precaution. Jr did confirm post race that with the help of some additional hydration, he fully recovered just shortly after the event concluded.

On track, the team knew they had their work cut out from them after the leaking seal impacted the chances of dialing the car's setup in during practice and qualifying. Going in somewhat blind, Eric took the green flag at 7PM to kick off the Napa 150 starting last. The car somewhat struggled with balance during the first half of the race, making it difficult to gain ground. But when a scheduled pit stop came at Lap 75, the crew took a big swing at the setup—and it paid off in a big way.

Late-Race Rally & a Strong Finish

With a much-improved car after the stop, Eric began methodically climbing through the field with the help of his team and spotter on the radio. He charged from the rear and into the Top-5 by the closing laps. While running in the 6th position, a late-race caution gave him one last chance to advance with 15 laps to go... and he and the team took it.

"You're doing one hell of a job buddy but It's going to be elbows up here. I need you to get everything you can on this start", Dustin Ash (Eric's Crew Chief) said on the radio prior to the restart. Due to the hot conditions he was facing, spotter, Logan Jewell checked on Eric over the radio while under caution stating, "How you doing in there bud? How's the heat?". "I'm just trying to not even think about it right now. I'm doing everything I can. I'm not giving up here!" Jr responded with an obvious strained tone in his voice. "We never said you were" Dustin added light heartedly. "I just wanted to make sure we had a really good story when we win this thing" Eric said with a joking yet determined tone before taking the green flag for the final restart.

Following the green flag, Eric surged to fourth before ultimately finishing fifth on Lap 150. “We dug in, found some speed, and clawed our way to another Top-5. That sort of Grit is what makes a team champions.” Eric said. “We lost a few points in the standings, but we’ve got some of our favorite tracks coming up. Sonoma is next—and we’re going in with a purpose.”

A Team That Won’t Quit

Through adversity, high temperatures, and tough competition, the No. 5 team once again proved they belong at the front of the field. With seven races to go, the championship fight is far from over.

“I just feel proud of this team, our partners, and everyone else involved. We simply have no quit. We're going to do everything we can to minimize anymore mechanical failures but sometimes racing just comes with those sort of things. No matter what, we’ll keep digging! This team continues to show they won't give up on me and they know I'd never give them anything but my best. Just that alone is a dangerous thing for any race teams going against us. I have no doubt in my mind that we can win this championship if we play our cards right”, Eric said when asked about the weekend.

Next Up: Sonoma Raceway – July 11

Catch Eric Jr. and the No. 5 Pacific Office Automation Toyota Camry as they take on the road course at Sonoma Raceway on July 11th—a track that could shake up the standings in a big way.

Follow the Journey:

Instagram: [@EricJr.Racing]
Twitter/X: [@EricJrRacing]
Facebook: [Eric Johnson Jr / Jerry Pitts Racing]
YouTube: [Eric Jr Racing]
Website: [ericjrracing.com]

SERIES STATS IN 2025:

Races: 5

Finishes: 5

Top 5's: 4

Top 10's: 4

Poles: 0

Laps Led: 30