Josh Berry‘s NASCAR Cup playoffs hopes were dashed when his car crashed on the opening lap of the Southern 500. Confused by the shocking mechanical failure, Berry noted the car bottomed out repeatedly and struggled with control. Compounding his frustration, smoke emerged from Ross Chastain’s car, but a clear explanation remains elusive. Berry now faces the challenging task of clawing back into the playoffs, with vital races ahead offering potential for redemption.
Key Highlights
- Josh Berry experienced a significant car failure leading to a crash on the first lap of the Southern 500.
- He reported the car bottomed out multiple times, affecting control and causing the crash.
- Berry noticed smoke from Ross Chastain’s car, adding to the confusion during the incident.
- The early crash resulted in a 38th-place finish, severely impacting Berry’s playoff standing.
- Berry expressed difficulty understanding the sudden failure, which was his worst finish since the previous year.
Josh Berry’s Early Crash and Tough Finish
Despite starting strong in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Playoffs with an impressive second-position qualifying effort, Josh Berry’s race at the Southern 500 quickly took a dramatic turn.
Berry, already the underdog, lost control in the very initial corner, resulting in a crash that shattered his promising start. His No. 21 Wood Brothers Ford bottomed out violently, leaving him 38th, almost 130 laps down.
Berry’s frustration grew as he left Darlington with just two points—one for his finishing position and a bonus for the fastest lap upon re-entering the race.
The unexpected crash on lap one became a tough pill to swallow, as Berry remained puzzled about the car’s sudden failure.
Josh Berry’s Explanation After the Race
After the race, Josh Berry openly shared his perspective on the unexpected crash. “It bottomed out like five or six times, so I don’t know,” he admitted to Motorsport.com, revealing his confusion over the car’s performance.
“It bottomed out like five or six times, so I don’t know.”
“I saw a video of it from the No. 1 car [Ross Chastain, who started directly behind Berry] while they were fixing it. You could see it throwing up smoke, so not really sure what happened there — if we missed something, but you just can’t drive these things when they’re hitting the track that hard. Especially the first lap when you’re not expecting it.” – Josh Berry
Watching footage from the No. 1 car driven by Ross Chastain, Berry noted the alarming smoke, highlighting the oddity of the situation. The crash marked Berry’s worst finish since the Kansas race last year, adding to his frustration.
- Disappointment lingered as Berry reflected on the crash.
- Confusion was palpable, stemming from unclear mechanical issues.
- Resolve to uncover the cause and improve was evident.
Berry stressed the impossibility of controlling a car striking the track so harshly, especially on the initial lap, when surprises are least expected.
We’re off to a chaotic start to the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs at Darlington!
📺: USA pic.twitter.com/fMemPH7i70
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) August 31, 2025
NASCAR Playoff Standing Concerns
With the crash still fresh in his mind, Josh Berry faces mounting concerns over his playoff standing. Currently, he’s 19 points below the cutline as the race heads to Gateway.
The disappointment is clear, as he reflects on how many competitors also had a tough night. Berry knows the unpredictable nature of racing; it’s essential to avoid missteps.
Despite the setback, he remains optimistic. He believes that with two strong performances, he can still be in the running by the time they reach Bristol.
Berry’s strategy focuses on consistent execution in the coming races. His resolve is firm: a clear pathway lies ahead if he can steer through Gateway and maintain momentum until Bristol.
The stakes are high, but so is Berry’s perseverance.
Chase Briscoe’s Southern 500 Repeat Victory
Chase Briscoe has etched his name in NASCAR history once again, clinching a thrilling victory at the Southern 500. Dominating Darlington Raceway, Briscoe led an impressive 309 laps, joining Greg Biffle as the only back-to-back winners since 2005–06.
Securing his place in the following round of the Cup Series Playoffs, Briscoe crossed the finish line just 0.408 seconds ahead of Tyler Reddick.
Briscoe expressed the challenge of maintaining the lead but relished the victory, saying, “So cool to win two Southern 500s in a row.”
- Unyielding dominance: Led 309 laps
- Nail-biting finish: Won by 0.408 seconds
- Historic achievement: Consecutive win
Tyler Reddick’s Frustration and Full Race Recap
Although Chase Briscoe’s victory at Darlington stole the spotlight, Tyler Reddick’s frustration was palpable as he crossed the finish line in runner-up place.
His disappointment was evident, knowing he had the better car during long runs. Reddick remarked, “We were better than he was on long runs.” The difference lay in Briscoe’s ability to fire off stronger at the start.
Despite a solid night for playoff points, Reddick’s desire to clinch victory at Darlington remained unfulfilled. The race had 24 lead changes and seven cautions, keeping fans on edge.
Behind Reddick, Erik Jones, John Hunter Nemechek, and AJ Allmendinger completed the top five. After Darlington, Briscoe leads the series standings, with Reddick in fourth.
News in Brief: Josh Berry Can’t Explain Lap 1 Crash After Shocking Car Failure
It was a rollercoaster of emotions at the track. Josh Berry’s early crash left fans puzzled, as he struggled to explain the shocking car failure. Despite the setback, he pushed through for a tough finish. Questions remain about his playoff standings as Chase Briscoe celebrated a repeat victory at the Southern 500. Meanwhile, Tyler Reddick’s frustration was palpable throughout the race. It served as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of racing.
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