Josh Berry enters the upcoming race at Bristol with his hopes in the NASCAR Cup Playoffs on the line, requiring a win to secure his place in the next round. The tension is high for Berry and his Wood Brothers Racing team as they reflect on strong performances overshadowed by early setbacks.
Challenging Start to Playoff Run
Berry’s journey in the playoffs has been marked by both potential and frustration. At the Southern 500, the No. 21 Ford started third, signaling confidence and preparation, but a first-corner crash cut his run short, costing valuable points. While he admits fault in that incident, Berry points out that the foundational speed and teamwork remain solid, even as outcomes have not matched their efforts.
The following week at Gateway brought more disappointment. Berry ran inside the top-10 for much of the opening half, until an error by Chase Elliott triggered another crash, sidelining Berry again. This time, the misfortune was out of his control, showing how quickly playoff fortunes can swing on the actions of others.
Performance Remains Strong Despite Setbacks
Despite crashes impacting his championship push, Berry remains convinced his team has shown the speed and performance needed to contend. According to Berry,
“I mean, I felt like each one of those could have been solid top 10s, which really would have been all we needed to be in a much better spot this weekend,”
—Josh Berry, Driver. He’s frustrated with the results but confident in what the team has accomplished between the incidents.
The sense within the Wood Brothers Racing camp is that, with a bit more luck and the same level of execution, the results could turn around. Berry sees positives and opportunities for the remainder of the season, expressing that they have done a good job, even if there’s always room to make improvements.
Approach to Bristol: Consistency Over Drastic Change
Facing elimination unless he wins at Bristol, Berry is not planning to alter his approach or strategy drastically.
“I don’t know that you can change that much of what you do,”
—Josh Berry, Driver. The focus remains on preparation, making the right car adjustments, and executing the race strategy developed throughout the year.
Berry emphasizes that every week is a push to win, and this weekend is no different in terms of intent or effort. He recognizes that while the playoff scenario might encourage some bold play-calling, most of their approach centers on being consistent, executing small details, and ensuring they give themselves a shot at victory.
“We go every week to go win, really. That’s what all work towards week in and week out is to be competitive and to win races, so just because of the situation that we’re in it’s not like we can try extra hard or do something different that we normally wouldn’t do. Maybe there’s a play strategy-wise that we could throw if we felt like we had to, but outside of that it’s about just doing all the little things right and executing a solid night and just giving ourselves the opportunity. That’s all it really amounts to.”
—Josh Berry, Driver
Reflections on the Season and Future Goals
For Berry, the season already holds achievements worth noting. Competing in his first year with the iconic No. 21 in only his second full NASCAR Cup Series season, he has claimed a victory for Wood Brothers Racing, a considerable milestone for both driver and team. He acknowledges the disappointment of missed opportunities but stresses the need to manage both the highs and lows common in the sport.
“Everybody is disappointed for sure but what can you do, really,”
—Josh Berry, Driver. He points to the crash at Darlington as a self-inflicted mistake, while last week’s incident was, in his view, being caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. Berry’s perspective is shaped by years in racing, where fluctuating fortunes are a part of the pursuit.
Bristol Night Race: High Stakes Ahead
All eyes are now on the Bristol Night Race, where Berry must clinch a win to avoid playoff elimination. The pressure is intense, but the driver insists on maintaining a steady approach without succumbing to urgency.
“Now, if we want to advance to the next round we need to win, but we could lead 400 laps Saturday night and blow an engine or have a flat tire and I don’t think any of us on Monday would be disappointed because we ran good. The biggest thing is we just need to run well and be in contention on Saturday night and see what happens from there.”
—Josh Berry, Driver
Berry’s resilience and focus exemplify the mental strength necessary in high-stakes NASCAR playoff racing. As he prepares to compete at Bristol, the outcome will determine whether he continues his quest for a championship or shifts focus to building on successes for the next season. For fans and competitors alike, Berry’s performance in Bristol will be a focal point of the weekend’s action, adding another compelling chapter to the NASCAR Cup Playoffs story.
