The Rookie … The 2024 ARCA Menards Series West (AMSW) tour takes off on Friday evening at Phoenix Raceway. Bill McAnally Racing (BMR) will welcome back Eric Johnson Jr. to drive the No. 19 Pacific Office Automation Chevrolet SS. The 20-year-old from La Center, Wash. is entering his first full-time season after racing with BMR for four races in 2023. Johnson Jr. readies himself to join teammate Jack Wood to help bring BMR their 12th AMSW championship. The rookie will have his first test this Friday evening with 150 laps around the one-mile tri oval.
Racing Comes Natural … Johnson Jr’s. stint with BMR last year was a sight to see. In his four race appearances he secured top-10 finishes at Portland International Speedway and All-American Speedway. He has also competed in numerous road racing series since 2021. Starting in Spec Racers, Johnson Jr. has captured three podium finishes in four starts at his home track, Portland International Raceway. Along with that, Johnson Jr. has built and raced in his own Road Course Late Models. Johnson Jr. hopes to contribute to BMR’s esteemed pedigree make his mark during his AMSW rookie season.
Calling the Shots … Veteran crew chief John Camilleri will begin the season as crew chief for Johnson Jr. and the No. 19 team at Phoenix. Camilleri most recently served as crew chief for Tanner Reif and the No. 16 NAPA Auto Care team in 2023 and guided the them to a top-five finish in the championship standings.
Tune In … The AMSW season opener will be televised live on FOX Sports 1 and streamed on the FOX Sports App at 8:00 p.m. ET on Friday night. Stay connected with the Pacific Office Automation team by following @BMR_NASCAR on Twitter, @bmrnascar on Instagram, and Bill McAnally Racing on Facebook.
Eric Johnson Jr. Quote:
On his first AMSW full-time season.:
“Honestly, I still quite haven’t wrapped my head around the year that lies ahead. Just five years ago I was nothing more than a kid in high school with a big dream and now we’re talking full time NASCAR driver, teammates with a guy I’ve watched on TV for a few years now and driving for a team I grew up cheering for as a fan in the stands. It all happened so fast, yet the funniest part of it all is I honestly think we have a shot to bring it home if things go our way. I probably wouldn’t be here if I ever thought otherwise. Never in a million years did I see this year as an obtainable opportunity but it’s here and I’m enjoying each and every second of it.”
McAnally Hilgemann Racing PR
