Josh Berry is set to become the driver of the No. 21 Ford Mustang for Wood Brothers Racing starting next season. Berry, a 33-year-old native of Tennessee, will be joining the Wood family after his time with Stewart-Haas Racing comes to an end. Despite being a rookie in the NASCAR Cup Series, Berry has been impressive, with four top-10 finishes in the last seven races.
Before his stint with Stewart-Haas, Berry had 12 starts in the series as a substitute driver. He previously drove for Hendrick Motorsports in 2023, filling in for Chase Elliott and Alex Bowman. During that time, Berry achieved three top-10 finishes in 10 starts. Prior to the 2023 season, he also made two starts in 2021 while driving for Spire Motorsports.
Berry expressed his excitement about joining Wood Brothers Racing, acknowledging the team’s rich history and legacy in NASCAR. He considers it an honor to be a part of carrying on that legacy and is grateful for the opportunity to drive the iconic No. 21. Berry understands the significance of his role and is eager to make his mark.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. played a pivotal role in recognizing Berry’s talent. Berry had the opportunity to drive late models for JR Motorsports and had a successful run in the part-time Xfinity Series schedule in 2021, winning two races. This led to him securing a full-time ride in 2022 and 2023, where he won three races and achieved his career-best fourth-place finish in points.
Wood Brothers Racing, founded in 1950, holds the distinction of being the longest-active team in NASCAR. With 99 victories in the Cup Series, the organization has a storied history. Jon Wood, president of Wood Brothers Racing, expressed his excitement about adding Berry to their roster. He believes that Berry’s talent and determination, showcased throughout his career, align with the team’s values and is confident that they will achieve great success together on the track.
Berry will be taking over the No. 21 from Harrison Burton, who has been driving for Wood Brothers Racing for the past three seasons.