Dale Earnhardt Jr Points to the Exact Moment “The Needle Moved” in Josh Berry’s NASCAR Career

Of course, it’s official now that Josh Berry is replacing Kevin Harvick in the Cup Series for Stewart-Haas Racing. But Berry’s peculiar career wouldn’t have been headed where it’s now headed if not for one moment in time from the past. That moment was something he discussed with his current boss Dale Earnhardt Jr on his podcast show while SHR finalized his contract for the biggest step of his racing career so far.

Berry, who will soon be a part of Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR), highlighted key career shifts during a candid conversation, during which he mentioned the point when discussions with Tony Stewart’s team about his Cup Series future with his stint in the #9 car considered as an audition.

Josh Berry explains the turning point in his career

Junior addressed Berry, commenting on the challenging situation that was presented to him. Despite all the variables and odds stacked against Berry, Junior noted that Berry was obviously in his element at the Martinsville race track, a place where he had a history of success with his late-model cars.

Junior suggested with some wonder that if Berry hadn’t clinched victory in that race, their current meeting might not have been taking place.

Of all the pieces that fell into place, the 2021 win at Martinsville has to be one of, if not the most important one for @joshberry‘s career. 🏆

📺 Watch ‘The Day Life Changed for Josh Berry’ from the @DaleJr Download here: https://t.co/Hvt1SHWet9 pic.twitter.com/JUDA0rqc2J

— Dirty Mo Media (@DirtyMoMedia) June 21, 2023

Berry responded, “I agree with that, I think, it was just that big of a moment… Even publically, it seemed to take me from like the guy that like who, you know this guy is a good short track racer. This is cool, he’s getting this opportunity. He’s too old… How is he going to do to… Why was this such a big moment?”

“I think that’s what a lot of people that even in the media was like, well, why is this such a big moment to you and to me, to JR Motorsports and a lot of other people that was around it? Why was this so special? I think that’s when it kinda… just moved the needle for me,” He concluded.

Berry explains when the conversations for the SHR move began

In another snippet released by Dirty Mo Media, Josh Berry further elaborated on the sequence of events that opened up his opportunity to race in the Cup Series with Stewart-Haas Racing. Furthermore, Berry shared his experience of being summoned to replace Chase Elliott behind the wheel after Elliott had a mishap during a snowboarding activity. Citing how that was both a turning point and a “full-blown audition.”

Berry explained, “My first conversations with Stewart-Haas began right before the season started. Most of the meetings that I had actually were before the season. Sat with Tony at Daytona when we were there for the race. This had been ongoing for a little bit. By no means anything finished.”

When did @joshberry first start having conversations about getting a full-time ride at the Cup level?

📺 Watch the full clip from @DaleJr Download here: https://t.co/po3S3G8mjZ pic.twitter.com/2JGrQvpHoF

— Dirty Mo Media (@DirtyMoMedia) June 21, 2023

Berry recollected how the initial dialogues had begun, which then coincided with the incident in Las Vegas that led to Chase’s injury. He vividly remembered the day when Mike Bumgarner, his crew chief from the previous year and now the competition director, came to find him.

“He comes and grabs me and pulls me out of the hauler and he’s like, ‘Hey, come over here.’ I’m like, ‘What are we doing?’ And he’s like, ‘Oh, something is going on. Chase had an injury, I don’t know what it is, but they want you to drive the #9 car… From that moment on, I’m like, this is a full-blown audition.”

Following his exceptional performance as a stand-in for Chase Elliott’s car in the Cup Series, Berry managed to establish a notable name and reputation within the sport. Now, instead of stepping in as a substitute, he’s set to join the series in his own right, securing a seat with Stewart-Haas Racing.