The upcoming NASCAR Cup Series event at Bristol Motor Speedway presents a decisive moment for Josh Berry, who must secure a victory to preserve his Bristol playoff hopes. As the checkered flag waves on Lap 500, four drivers will be knocked out of the Playoffs, while the rest will advance to the Round of 12.
Both Josh Berry and Alex Bowman find themselves in must-win scenarios as they prepare for this critical race under the lights at the iconic Tennessee short track.
Critical Errors on Pit Road Hurt Alex Bowman
Alex Bowman, behind the wheel of the No. 48 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, enters Bristol sitting 35 points below the Cutoff Line. Pit road mistakes during the opening two Playoff rounds at Darlington Raceway and World Wide Technology Raceway have severely impacted his chances, with finishes of 31st and 26th, respectively. As pressure mounts, Bowman reflected on his team’s recent performance.
“It was just really poor execution on all angles today,”
—Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports driver
Despite a promising stretch towards the front, continued setbacks left the team frustrated. Bowman remains focused on improvement, recognizing the efforts happening behind the scenes to turn their fortunes around.
“We just have to go to Bristol (Motor Speedway) and go to work.”
—Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports driver
Bowman is set to begin the race from the 15th position, facing the daunting task of needing a win to progress further in the championship chase. His crew’s attention to every detail will be crucial for keeping his season alive.
Josh Berry Confronts Unforgiving Recent Results
Josh Berry has shown glimpses of speed, qualifying well in both Playoff starts for the No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford. He started in third place at Darlington, putting him in prime position early in the opening race. However, misfortune struck almost immediately. A solo spin on Lap 1 caused significant damage, forcing Berry and his team into the garage for lengthy repairs, resulting in a 38th-place finish and losing 128 laps to the leaders.
The following weekend at World Wide Technology Raceway, Berry managed a respectable 12th-place qualifying effort but again faced adversity. After tangling with Chase Elliott on Lap 36, Berry found his day cut short, ending up last in 36th place. Despite these disappointing finishes, Berry will line up 10th—on the outside of Row 5—when the green flag flies at Bristol.
Berry provided insight into how the recent string of tough results has affected him and his crew.
“It’s been disappointing to not get the results, but I feel like we’ve performed fairly well,”
—Berry, Wood Brothers Racing driver
He noted their strong qualifying efforts and the speed in their cars, expressing that potential top-10 results slipped away due to unfortunate incidents.
“So, I’m frustrated with the results, but I think the performance has been there. I think we’ve done a good job. There’s always room for improvement, but there are still positives to take out of it.”
—Berry, Wood Brothers Racing driver
A win at Bristol would mark a dramatic turnaround for Berry after a challenging couple of weeks, and it is equally essential for Bowman, who faces similar playoff elimination pressures.
Bristol’s High Stakes and What’s at Risk
The Bristol night race is primed to deliver drama, with Josh Berry’s playoff journey hanging in the balance. Facing steep odds, Berry’s resolve alongside the Wood Brothers Racing team will be tested in front of a raucous crowd and intense championship implications. Alex Bowman, fighting for Hendrick Motorsports, also remains under pressure to execute flawlessly after recent missteps. As the field takes the green flag, both drivers will need to summon their best performances to seize a shot at extending their Playoff ambitions beyond Bristol. The outcome will not only define their seasons but also shape the remaining Playoff field heading into the Round of 12.
