How NASCAR drivers reacted after Josh Berry’s upset victory left many competitors with mixed emotions. Josh Berry secured his first NASCAR Cup Series win with Wood Brothers Racing, an achievement that stunned the field. Some, like Daniel Suarez, praised the effort, while others faced tough challenges. Strategy played a major role, as Ryan Preece and William Byron focused on aggressive tactics. Meanwhile, incidents involving Austin Dillon and Kyle Busch shifted race dynamics. Each reaction revealed the unpredictable nature of the competition.
Key Highlights
- Josh Berry celebrated his first Cup Series win, emphasizing team effort and the significance of the victory.
- Daniel Suarez congratulated Berry but felt mixed emotions about his own race performance.
- Ryan Preece finished third, highlighting aggressive strategy and seizing opportunities.
- Austin Cindric credited his strong finish to his crew chief’s successful tactical decisions.
- Kyle Busch’s pit road penalty and Austin Dillon’s crash underscored the race’s unpredictability.
Race Winner and Runner-Up Reactions
In the aftermath of an exhilarating race, Josh Berry emerged as the victor, achieving his initial Cup Series win with the Wood Brothers team.
Expressing pride in his team, Berry highlighted their hard work and the quality of the race cars they built. He emphasized the privilege of driving for such a team and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to be a NASCAR Cup Series winner.
“I’m just really proud of everybody on this (Wood Brothers) team. This is a great group. They build great race cars and it’s just been a privilege to drive for them. I’m just so really thankful to be here. There are so many people I could thank for this moment, but to be a Cup Series winner is really special … I just can’t believe it. I’m just so proud of everybody on this team. The car was really solid all day. We just executed. We had a mishap on pit road and was able to rebound again, and I’m just super proud of these guys. I’m just really trying to soak this all in, honestly. I’m trying to take my time with everything and really enjoy this moment.” – Josh Berry
Berry acknowledged a pit road mishap but praised his team’s ability to rebound and execute a solid race. He took time to savor the moment, acknowledging the significance of the victory.
Meanwhile, runner-up Daniel Suarez expressed mixed emotions.
“A little disappointed. But first of all, congratulations to the 21 team and Josh. They did a great job. They’ve been fast lately. They’ve been in contention. So congratulations to them. We did everything right, you know? The team did an amazing job on the strategy, pit stops. We did everything right. Our car was fast. We just struggle a little bit in the short run. I mentioned to my crew chief just a little bit ago, before the last run, I told him, ‘Hey, we want to be up front, I need a little bit better short run. I am having too much contact in one and two.’ Unfortunately I feel like that’s why we lost the race, just a little bit too much contact. I mean, I almost wrecked in one and two.” – Daniel Suarez
While congratulating Berry and the Wood Brothers team for their performance, Suarez conveyed disappointment over his own race. He noted his team’s tactical skill and fast car but identified struggles in the short run as the main obstacle to victory, citing excessive contact as a critical issue.
Top Finishers and Their Race Strategies
Although the race was filled with unexpected turns, the top finishers displayed a range of strategies that highlighted their skills and decision-making under stress.
Ryan Preece, who finished in the third position, emphasized aggression and seizing opportunities, aligning with his season’s motto. His approach put him in a strong position, showcasing his tactical expertise.
“Going into the season the motto is live by the fire, die by the fire and take chances, be aggressive, be on the offense and just put us in position. Man, I’m happy for Josh. I really liked him when we were teammates and I’m just super proud of everybody on this Consumer Cellular Ford Mustang Dark Horse.” – Ryan Preece
William Byron, finishing fourth, faced challenges with fuel strategy. Despite starting in the 20s after a pit stop, Byron skillfully navigated through the field, although he noted his car’s performance varied in traffic, signaling areas for improvement.
“Yeah, when everything got flipped with the fuel strategy – not really pit strategy, but you had to pit to make it to the end of the race. Everything just got flipped around and we were on the bad side of that, having to restart in the 20s and then have to drive back through the field. I thought we did a good job getting back through the field. Our car was a lot tighter in traffic. There’s definitely some things for us to improve and work on because I feel like once we lost the first couple of rows, it was a completely different race car. We just have to continue to improve on that.” – William Byron
Ross Chastain, securing fifth, illustrated teamwork and aggressiveness, aiding Daniel Suarez’s lead before circumstances allowed Josh Berry to capitalize. Chastain’s dedication to team dynamics was evident, even at the cost of victory.
“Yeah, it got him (Daniel Suarez) clear to the lead. I was fully committed to him and happy to do it. Got him a good push down the frontstretch and through the restart zone; another one into (turn) one and another one into three. We stayed connected well. It was aggressive, but it got him to the lead. And then he just bottomed out too hard with his car and let Josh (Berry) inside of him a couple laps into that run. Bummer because he had a better car than we did and had a shot to win. It just slipped away from us.” – Ross Chastain
Austin Cindric, in sixth, attributed his solid finish to tactical calls by his crew chief, Brian Wilson, illustrating the importance of strategic decisions and adaptability in racing outcomes.
Drivers Who Faced Challenges During the Race
Many drivers faced considerable challenges during the race, impacting their final standings and leaving them with mixed feelings. Christopher Bell, finishing in 12th place, experienced a rollercoaster of difficulties as he battled handling issues and fluctuating car balance. He found himself moving from the back to the front multiple times, unable to maintain a consistent performance.
“It was a grind today for sure. I don’t really know how I feel yet, but we certainly didn’t do what we did the last couple of weeks and that was just have a nice clean race. I think the Interstate Camry was definitely capable of competing for the win when we were at our best but just going to the back and to the front and to the back and to the front, we just didn’t get a handle on the balance, because it changes so much from being back there. I felt like we were in position in stage two to contend for another win, but it got away from us.” – Christopher Bell
Joey Logano, who ended in 15th, struggled due to a pit road mistake that cost him a better finish, despite his team’s strong effort.
“Tough way to end the weekend for us. The last run was shaping up to look a lot like how last fall’s strategy played out for us, but I just made a mistake on pit road that I wish I could have back. Proud of the effort but should’ve had more to show for it.” – Joey Logano
Michael McDowell faced mechanical setbacks with a diffuser flap issue early in the race, which wasn’t resolved until the end of stage two. Although he managed to rejoin the competition, his car tightened during the final run, causing him to lose spots.
“It was an up-and-down day for the No. 71 Group 1001 Chevy team. We had a little issue there early on with the diffuser flap falling down. We didn’t figure it out until about the end of stage 2. Once we got that back, we were kind of back in the game but just a couple adjustments behind. I thought we would have a shot at the top-10, but on the last run, the car just got really tight. It’s unfortunate to lose spots there at the end.. you never want to do that. But we’ll keep building and keep working on it; keep making notebooks and get it right.” – Michael McDowell
Incidents and Crashes That Affected the Race
The race was marked by notable incidents and crashes that played an essential role in shaping the final results. Several drivers faced considerable setbacks that altered the race dynamics:
- Austin Dillon’s Crash: Dillon, who started strong with his Dow Chevrolet, found himself caught in a major crash during stage 3. Despite initial success, a slow pit stop and the crash left him finishing 32nd.
- Kyle Busch’s Penalty: Busch had a promising start with his BetMGM Chevrolet. However, a pit road speeding penalty and subsequent right rear issue hampered his performance, resulting in a 33rd place finish.
- Ryan Blaney’s Mishap: Blaney admitted fault in a mix-up that led to a collision. Attempting to navigate tight spaces, he inadvertently caused a crash that dropped him to 35th.
These incidents underlined the unpredictable nature of NASCAR racing, each altering the race’s potential outcomes considerably.
Reflections and Moving Forward
As drivers reflect on the recent race, the varying outcomes reveal both challenges and opportunities for growth. John Hunter Nemechek, who finished 20th, acknowledged the early struggles with the balance of his car but appreciated tactical improvements and fortunate cautions that kept him competitive.
Ty Dillon, finishing 21st, expressed optimism about his team’s steady progress, emphasizing their upward trend in performance.
Shane van Gisbergen, despite a promising start, faced setbacks after a misjudged adjustment, resulting in a 34th-place finish.
“Our day was going pretty good there at the start. I was learning to move around and started to go forward. Just made an adjustment that didn’t go our way and never recovered. It’s a shame, my Red Bull Chevrolet had plenty of potential and I felt like I could’ve been okay. My teammates ran really well, so our car was good. Just learning to put myself in the right spots. We’ll be ready for Homestead next weekend.” – Shane van Gisbergen
These reflections highlight the dynamic nature of race planning and the importance of adaptability in achieving future success.
News in Brief: How NASCAR Drivers Reacted After Josh Berry’s Upset Victory
Josh Berry’s unexpected victory in the NASCAR race sparked varied reactions among drivers. Some praised his skill and tactical maneuvers, while others reflected on their own challenges and missed opportunities.
The race featured intense competition, with several incidents affecting outcomes. As drivers look ahead, they aim to learn from this race’s experiences, focusing on improving tactics and handling adversity. Berry’s win serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of racing and the potential for underdogs to succeed.
ALSO READ: Josh Berry Delivers Wood Brothers Racing’s 101st Win with a Stunning First NASCAR Cup Series Victory
