“Been 7 Years Since They Had Some Real Talent”: Josh Berry Hyped Up By Fans to Bring Glory Days Back to Wood Brothers Racing

After an illustrious 13-year Late Model career that saw him win over 100 races, Josh Berry stepped up to the Cup Series last year, replacing the legendary Kevin Harvick at Stewart-Haas Racing. This year, with SHR halting its NASCAR operations, Berry has shifted to Wood Brothers Racing and looks set to script a new chapter with the team in its diamond anniversary year. Fans feel it would be a “winning combination”, with Berry’s talent building on the team’s history.

NASCAR shared a picture collage on X, featuring Berry and other memorable past landmarks of the team, to commemorate the occasion. The caption read: “The past. The present. The future. This season, we celebrate @woodbrothers21 ‘s diamond anniversary.”

Fans were quick to extend their best wishes to the driver and the team. “Josh Berry and the Wood Brothers are a winning combination, can’t wait to see Josh pick up his first win this year,” commented one.

Another chimed in, “I like this. Harrison was ok but needs to refine his craft a little. Josh is going to run top 15 regularly.”

Optimism was the predominant mood in the comments, with fans acknowledging Berry’s potential. “Been 7 years since they had some real talent in the car. This will be a good season for them I believe,” stated one fan

Harrison Burton secured the 100th win for Wood Brothers Racing last season at the Coke Zero Sugar 400 race in Daytona. However, his overall performance was lackluster. Many have expressed hope that Berry would deliver more consistent results given his track record of performing beyond the capabilities of his equipment.

Berry could bring a competitive edge similar to what Ryan Blaney brought to Wood Brothers in 2016 and 2017 before he moved to Team Penske. In the 2024 season with SHR, Berry had two top-5 finishes and four top-10s, ending the season ranked P27 with an average finish of 22.7.

He exhibited bursts of speed, notably finishing third at Darlington and delivering a memorable performance at the spring race in Richmond. However, consistent results eluded him throughout the season.

Speed, evidently, was not the primary hurdle for Berry. The 34-year-old’s 2024 campaign was disrupted by 10 premature retirements, including a notable incident in Kansas where flat tires led to a DNF.

While he is new in the Cup series, Berry is a seasoned pro, having driven for many top teams.

Berry reflects on his NASCAR journey

Berry’s NASCAR Cup Racing tenure has seen him behind the wheel for top teams like Hendrick Motorsports, Legacy Motor Club, Spire Motorsports, and Stewart-Haas Racing, not to mention his time with JR Motorsports in the Xfinity Series. That’s indeed a resume loaded with experience. And diversity has groomed him for the challenges ahead.

“I think my career is so unique because I feel like it’s tied to Dale, now it’s tied to Tony and Kevin and even Chase Elliott, Mr. Hendrick. That’s probably what I’m most proud about. Because throughout all this, I feel every one of those guys have advocated for me and that means more than anything,” said Berry.

“When I was a part of their program; I did a good job and was respectful and a leader and a part of a program that they would go out and publicly at times advocate for me, that I wouldn’t let them down. That’s really cool. It’s definitely been a big, big aid to me going forward.,” he added.

As Berry steps into a new season with Wood Brothers Racing, equipped with a new crew chief and team dynamics, the racing community is eager to know if he would be able to channel his vast experience into wins.