Josh Berry reflected on his recent result in the NASCAR Cup Series, sharing how the Josh Berry Wood Brothers Racing performance at Richmond Raceway brought much-needed satisfaction after a challenging spell. The race on August 16 marked a turning point, with Berry scoring an eighth-place finish and putting an end to a prolonged run of bad fortune for the team.
Berry Breaks Top 10 Drought at Richmond Raceway
Piloting the #21 Ford Mustang Dark Horse, Berry achieved his best finish in 13 races during the Cook Out 400, held at Richmond Raceway. The Richmond event was crucial, as Berry had not placed in the top 10 since May at the AdventHealth 400 in Kansas, where he had claimed sixth place. Saturday’s result not only snapped this streak but also underscored his perseverance through weeks of adversity.
Having begun the day in the 17th position on the grid, Berry steadily worked his way up. The finish was more than just a personal milestone; it helped secure his spot for the Cup Series playoffs. Berry’s season has included a notable victory at Las Vegas, in addition to two top-five and four top-10 results, highlighting key moments in his campaign.
Reflecting on Challenges and Team Progress
After the Cook Out 400, Berry opened up to the press about the ups and downs the team had recently experienced. He detailed the race‘s difficulties and how the crew managed the situation to achieve a strong finish:
“It was an up-and-down day. I thought we did a really good job managing everything, but we would have liked to have been a little bit better. We just struggled with the balance a little bit. It got better the second half for sure, but would have liked to have been a little bit better towards the end, but, all in all, a really good job for these 21 guys.”
Berry attributed the positive outcome to determination, while also acknowledging that luck has not always been on his side in recent weeks:
“This is what we know we’re capable of, but we’ve had some misfortune. Maybe we had a couple races where we weren’t as fast as we wanted, but we’ve had a lot of bad luck. Tonight is what we’re capable of. We know that going into the playoffs, so it’s nice to have a solid run and, like I said, we’ll go to Daytona and get ready for the playoffs after that.”
Adapting and Learning in His First Season with the Team
Earlier this season, Berry celebrated a breakthrough victory in Las Vegas. Despite this success, he acknowledged areas for improvement, noting that missed opportunities were often a result of his own errors, despite the Wood Brothers Racing car’s potential for strong finishes. He also emphasized the learning curve associated with his debut season:
“The hardest thing to figure out is how to be fast, lead these races and get yourself in contention and we’ve done that a lot… It’s frustrating to make mistakes, and those mistakes fall on me, but all we can do is just continue to put me in that position, and keep working on those things and getting better and the finishes will come.” —Josh Berry, driver
Berry’s 2024 campaign followed his transition from Stewart-Haas Racing, marking a new chapter as he joined Wood Brothers Racing for the 2025 season. Throughout his first stretch with the team, he managed three top-10 results in 16 races, showing steady adaptation and commitment to progress.
Implications of Berry’s Playoff Berth and Ongoing Development
With the latest top-10 finish locking in his playoff participation, Berry and the Wood Brothers Racing group are turning their attention to the upcoming race at Daytona and postseason ambitions. The positive outcome at Richmond may serve as a pivotal moment, offering a morale boost and validation of their potential ahead of NASCAR’s most crucial stage. As Berry continues refining his skills and deepening his partnership with the team, fans and fellow competitors will be watching closely to see if the momentum carries forward into the playoffs and beyond.
