Josh Berry delivered Wood Brothers Racing’s 101st win in unforgettable fashion. After a fierce late-race battle, he surged ahead when it mattered most. The intense showdown at Las Vegas Motor Speedway came down to strategy, speed, and a critical restart with just 19 laps to go. With his first-ever NASCAR Cup Series victory on the line, he faced relentless pressure from Daniel Suárez.
Key Highlights
- Josh Berry achieved his first NASCAR Cup Series win at the Pennzoil 400 in Las Vegas.
- Berry drove the No. 21 Ford for Wood Brothers Racing, continuing the team’s legacy of first-time winners.
- In a thrilling battle, Berry overcame Daniel Suárez in the final laps to secure victory.
- A caution on Lap 195 and subsequent strategy shifts played a crucial role in the race outcome.
- Post-race inspections confirmed Berry’s victory as legitimate, despite intense competition and race challenges.
Josh Berry’s Victory at Las Vegas
Josh Berry’s victory at Las Vegas Motor Speedway marked a crucial milestone in his racing career, as he clinched his primary NASCAR Cup Series win in the Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube.
This achievement was particularly noteworthy given Berry’s history at the track, where he had previously secured two wins in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
Driving the No. 21 Ford for Wood Brothers Racing, Berry continued a legacy by becoming the fourth consecutive driver from this team to achieve their initial Cup victory.
The accomplishment highlighted both his personal progression and the competitive skill of Wood Brothers Racing.
Berry’s success can be attributed to the exceptional performance of his crew, led by crew chief Miles Stanley, who provided a car capable of mastering the challenges posed by the Next Gen vehicle.
Las Vegas Motor Speedway, a venue that has consistently favored Berry, once again served as the backdrop for a career-defining moment.
“Oh, man, I don’t even know what to think.”
“Just awesome. I love this track. Las Vegas has been so good to me. So many great moments here.”
“Just struggled in the Next Gen car here. But (crew chief) Miles (Stanley) and this whole 21 team, everybody at Wood Brothers Racing, they gave me a great car today. Just battled and battled and battled. Man, it was our day. I just can’t believe it.”
“Such a battle with Daniel there at the end, beating and banging on a mile-and-a-half — crazy! Whoever was going to get out front was probably going to win. We were able to get in front.” – Josh Berry
The Intense Battle with Daniel Suárez
As Berry celebrated his win at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the narrative of his victory was greatly defined by the intense battle he faced against Daniel Suárez during the closing stages of the race.
Restarting side-by-side on Lap 249, Berry and Suárez engaged in a high-stakes duel that captivated spectators. Suárez initially held the lead until Berry edged ahead at the start/finish line on Lap 252.
Lap 253 saw the two nearly deadlocked, with Berry barely leading. By Lap 254, Berry’s No. 21 Mustang decisively cleared Suárez’s No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet through the tri-oval, establishing a vital advantage in clean air.
Suárez acknowledged his team’s exemplary strategyand speed but lamented the short-run performance, specifically citing issues with the racing surface in Turns 1 and 2.
“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 struggled 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 (with the bumps in the racing surface) in (Turns) 1 and 2.”
“Unfortunately, I feel like that’s why we lost the race, just a little bit too much contact. I mean, I almost wrecked in 1 and 2.” – Daniel Suárez
Despite his valiant effort, Suárez could not regain the lead, and Berry extended his margin to 1.358 moments, securing his inaugural Cup Series victory.
Race-Defining Caution and Strategy Shifts
When a caution flag waved unexpectedly on Lap 195, it became a vital moment in the race, dramatically altering the dynamics of the competition and setting the stage for tactical shifts that would define the outcome.
The caution, brought about by a seven-car wreck on the backstretch, disrupted a series of green-flag pit stops, stripping Kyle Larson of his commanding lead.
- Larson’s Plunge: Initially leading, Larson was relegated to 18th upon restart, unable to recover beyond ninth place by the end of the race.
- Berry’s Advantage: Restarting seventh, Berry skillfully navigated to seize the lead temporarily on Lap 234.
- Final Caution’s Role: The ninth caution, caused by Gragson’s crash, nullified fuel strategy concerns and reshuffled track positions.
- Pit Road Drama: Suárez’s swift four-tire stop propelled him to the lead, but Berry, unfazed, quickly pursued, capturing victory and marking the Wood Brothers’ 101st win.
Top Finishers and Pit Road Chaos
The unexpected caution on Lap 195 set off a chain of events that culminated in a day marked by unpredictable finishes and chaotic scenes on pit road. Ryan Preece capitalized on the ensuing chaos to secure a commendable third-place finish.
William Byron, the series leader, led a strong Hendrick Motorsports contingent within the top 10, showcasing the team’s tactical skill. Ross Chastain’s adept tire strategy enabled him to clinch fifth place, reflecting the critical importance of pit decisions in the race’s outcome.
As the race unfolded with 32 lead changes among 13 drivers, pit road became a focal point for mishaps. Remarkably, Chase Briscoe and Kyle Busch grappled with loose wheels, adding an element of unpredictability.
Despite these challenges, Briscoe exhibited resilience by recovering from four laps down to finish 17th. Meanwhile, Austin Cindric, Alex Bowman, AJ Allmendinger, Kyle Larson, and Chase Elliott rounded out the top 10.
Christopher Bell’s Winning Streak Ends and Post-Race Inspection
Despite Christopher Bell’s notable momentum with three consecutive NASCAR Cup Series victories, his attempt at a fourth win was thwarted by an unfortunate sequence of events during the race, particularly during the pit stops under caution for Shane van Gisbergen’s spin on Lap 107.
Starting from the rear due to an unapproved throttle body change, Bell surged to next place, only to be hampered by a pit stop error where his front tire changer failed to secure the left-front wheel. This misstep required an emergency stop at teammate Chase Briscoe’s pit for tightening the lug, resulting in:
- A penalty for receiving service outside his pit box.
- A drop to the rear of the field, hindering progress in dirty air.
- A finish in 27th place at Stage 2, diminishing hopes of a four-race streak.
- A final placement of 12th.
News in Brief: Josh Berry Delivers Wood Brothers Racing’s 101st Win
Josh Berry’s victory at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway marked his inaugural win in the NASCAR Cup Series, emphasizing his resilience and tactical insight. Engaged in an intense duel with Daniel Suárez, Berry capitalized on late-race cautions and skillful pit strategy to secure his place atop the podium.
As Bell’s winning streak concluded, the race unfolded with a mix of high-stakes tactics and pit road drama, highlighting the unpredictable nature of NASCAR and the skill required to emerge successful.
