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 someth

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