Kevin Harvick has brought to light the remarkable effect Josh Berry is having not only on Wood Brothers Racing, but also on Team Penske, as the 2025 NASCAR season intensifies. With only a dozen races underway, Berry, piloting the No.21 car, has already claimed a victory and a string of top-ten finishes. As both organizations share a technical alliance, every bit of Berry’s progress reverberates through the Penske operation, providing momentum and optimism as the competition grows fiercer each week.
The foundation for this unexpected turnaround lies in Berry’s rise during his sophomore campaign. After replacing Harrison Burton—a decision many questioned due to Burton’s own respectable track record—Berry brought a depth of experience that Wood Brothers Racing had been seeking. Kevin Harvick sees the results as clear evidence that the team’s gamble has paid off, especially considering the talent and adaptiveness Berry displays every weekend.
Harvick commented, reflecting on how challenges have not slowed the team’s resurgence.
Despite the early success, Berry’s season has not been without setbacks. Multiple penalties have cost him valuable track positions even as he shows clear pace. Harvick, a Hall of Famer himself, points out that high-performing drivers are often judged more harshly on their errors, highlighting the pressure and scrutiny Berry faces. However, the progress is undeniable and, in Harvick’s view, is giving Team Penske a critical edge.
The relationship between Wood Brothers Racing and Team Penske deepens this story. Their technical alliance means that every adjustment, insight, and technological leap made by Berry’s squad benefits Penske’s trio of drivers—Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney, and Austin Cindric. Mamba Smith, Harvick’s co-host, emphasized this synergy, praising Berry’s veteran awareness and the new dimension he brings to the group’s data-driven approach.
Smith said, outlining the value Penske receives from Berry’s feedback and adaptability.
Although Penske’s lineup is packed with talent, Berry’s added knowledge is quietly powering their season. This blend of experience and fresh perspective may prove essential, especially as the team seeks to rebound from a modest slump. The pure speed and hunger Berry demonstrates serve as a motivator, infusing new energy and ideas into Penske’s garage.
Kevin Harvick notes that Berry’s path is one of determination and evolution. Even after setbacks like spins or pit road penalties, Berry manages to claw his way back into contention. Harvick observed,
The transformation happening at Wood Brothers Racing illustrates how critical the right driver can be. Berry’s aggressive but measured driving style has created a platform for the team to challenge the established order. Instead of merely finishing or hoping for favorable circumstances, the No.21 car has become a consistent threat to win, forcing teams like Penske to pay closer attention to their technical partnership.
This shift means that Penske is collecting more useful data and insights than ever before. With Berry pushing boundaries, Team Penske is equipped to modify its strategies and accelerate performance improvements. As the races continue, this pipeline can be the deciding factor in transforming good runs into victories.
Harvick’s confidence in Berry’s trajectory grows with each race. Pointing to his increasingly consistent results, Harvick believes that Berry’s penchant for speed and his refusal to be defined by mistakes will soon make him a regular visitor to victory lane.
Harvick remarked, signaling his belief that Berry’s best is yet to come.
Looking ahead, Berry’s partnership with both Wood Brothers Racing and Team Penske stands as a model for how experience, adaptability, and alliances can tilt the scales in NASCAR’s relentlessly competitive atmosphere. The results so far show that with smart decisions, strong alliances, and drivers who continually learn and adapt, major turnarounds are possible even in the toughest stretches of a racing season.
As the 2025 NASCAR calendar accelerates, the narrative surrounding Team Penske and Wood Brothers Racing is steadily shifting. Thanks to Berry’s surge and Kevin Harvick’s enthusiastic support, the conversation has moved from survival to resurgence. With more than half the season still ahead, teams and fans alike will be closely watching how this dynamic unfolds and whether the surge led by Berry—and by extension, Team Penske—will reach even greater heights.
Ultimately, Kevin Harvick’s belief in Josh Berry is resonating across the paddock, providing not just hope but a real strategic advantage. The ongoing season promises continued drama and excitement as Berry works to eliminate costly errors, pushes for more victories, and helps redefine what’s possible for both his own career and Team Penske’s ambitious comeback.
