Josh Berry’s ambitions for a Cup Series championship ended abruptly during the Bristol race, as a fire in his No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Mustang forced him out of contention on Lap 77. The shocking mishap during the Bass Pro Shops Night Race means Berry’s journey in the 2025 playoffs ended sooner than anticipated, dashing high hopes tied to his recent success and stirring conversation throughout the field about the intense pressure of the Round of 16.
Bristol Mishap Shatters Berry’s Playoff Drive
Entering the high-stakes race at Bristol Motor Speedway, Josh Berry was among the drivers fighting for their first Cup Series title. Early in the 500-lap event, a critical failure struck: his brake rotors ignited, quickly filling the cockpit with smoke and leaving Berry unable to continue. He made the immediate decision to bring his Mustang to pit road for safety.
Berry was able to exit the car without injury, but the gravity of the incident meant his playoff pursuit came to a sudden halt. He had advanced to the postseason thanks to a crucial win at Las Vegas earlier in the year, making his early exit all the more unexpected for fans and team members alike.
Reflecting on the rapid decline in his fortunes, Berry shared with USA Network,
“It definitely started smoking a few laps before we pitted. We tried to ride it out a few laps. It was getting pretty bad there. Just so disappointing. That was going to be a lot of fun.”
—Josh Berry, Driver
At the moment of disaster, Berry was one of only eight competitors on the lead lap. Since he entered Bristol below the playoff cutoff, he needed at least a strong finish to move on to the Round of 12. Instead, he became the first driver officially eliminated from the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. By the end of the night, three more competitors would join him outside the championship chase as the field narrows to 12.
The Las Vegas Triumph That Launched Berry’s Playoff Run
The road to this playoff run began in March at Las Vegas, where Berry delivered Wood Brothers Racing its milestone 101st Cup Series victory. After a stint as a full-time driver for Stewart-Haas Racing, Berry was left searching for a new opportunity when that organization closed at the end of the previous season.
Wood Brothers Racing, NASCAR’s oldest team, signed Berry after parting ways with Harrison Burton. While Burton joined the Xfinity Series with AM Racing, Berry secured a full-time contract—leading to a high point in March when he claimed his first Cup Series win at Las Vegas.
“Everybody with Wood Brothers Racing gave me a great car and we just battled and battled, and man, it was our day,”
Josh Berry said after his win.
“I just can’t believe it. It was such a battle with Daniel (Suarez) there at the end. Beating and banging at a mile-and-a-half (track) is crazy!”
—Josh Berry, Driver
The Las Vegas victory pushed Berry into playoff eligibility for the first time and marked a significant achievement both for his career and for Wood Brothers Racing.
What’s at Stake After Berry’s Exit from Playoff Contention
Though his title shot is over, Berry remains eligible to compete for victories during the next six races in the Cup Series, culminating with the Championship 4 at Phoenix on November 2. Attention now turns to the rest of the drivers—such as Daniel Suarez and the remaining field—battling at Bristol and beyond, each striving to avoid elimination as the pressure builds with every lap.
Berry’s dramatic exit at Bristol highlights both the risks drivers accept in pursuit of championship glory and the unpredictable nature of NASCAR’s playoff format. For Josh Berry, the focus now shifts to regaining momentum and chasing further wins, keeping fans and teams watching closely as the playoffs continue to unfold.
