Josh Berry captured attention at the NASCAR Cup Series event in Loudon, New Hampshire, nearly conquering the field for an impressive second-place finish after a difficult stretch of races. The latest contest at New Hampshire marked a thrilling turnaround for Berry, whose resilience and strategic moves placed him in contention until the very end, making “Josh Berry NASCAR New Hampshire” a buzzworthy topic among fans and analysts.
Berry’s Remarkable Rebound After Challenging Weeks
After enduring three straight last-place finishes, Josh Berry arrived at the New Hampshire event determined to reverse his fortunes. The track proved to be an opportunity for redemption, as Berry notched his best performance in weeks by overcoming early race troubles. His recent history at this location hinted at potential, having finished third in 2024 after starting from tenth.
For the Sunday race, Berry began in third position and quickly established himself as a frontrunner, primarily chasing Joey Logano for the opening 52 laps. Ryan Blaney eventually claimed victory in the first stage, while Berry held onto a solid spot in the top group, outperforming several well-known drivers like William Byron and maintaining competitiveness alongside Chase Elliott and others.
Dramatic Mid-Race Incident and Recovery
The race took a tense turn during stage two, as drama unfolded on lap 82. Shane van Gisbergen made contact with Berry’s car, sending Berry into a spin in turn two. Despite the spin, Berry avoided significant damage and demonstrated composure, continuing to race with determination. He managed to finish the second stage in tenth, earning a valuable bonus point at lap 185—an important step for his standing in the tough playoff environment.
Strategic Decisions and Intense Final Laps
In the closing stage, Berry climbed up through the top ten once more, reaching third before heading for his last pit stop on lap 241. His crew chief, Miles Stanley, made the bold strategic choice to keep Berry and Chase Elliott out on the track while other competitors, including Ryan Blaney, pitted for fresh tires.
The restart proved decisive. Blaney surged ahead of Berry but was soon challenged as Berry closed the gap in the final laps. Ultimately, Berry’s car slipped slightly in turn three, costing him crucial time and leaving Blaney out front. The small misstep proved costly, and Berry crossed the finish line in a well-earned second place—just short of his first win but a major turnaround from his recent results.
Berry’s Reactions and Team Effort Highlighted
“We lacked a little bit of fire off, but, honestly, ever since the start of the race we were just mired in so much traffic,”
Josh Berry, Driver
“Our long run seemed really strong, so I think it could have gone a couple different ways.”
Josh Berry, Driver
“Still, it’s just a great day. We had a great car. Everybody did a great job. The pit stops were awesome and we have a lot to look forward to,”
Josh Berry, Driver
“It was a grind for sure but we had a really good car and we just chipped away at it. We just kept putting four on it and kept moving forward and did it the old fashioned way. It was a lot of fun.”
Josh Berry, Driver
Berry’s satisfaction reflected the Wood Brothers Racing team’s collective effort on pit stops and race strategy. The combined expertise of his crew, including pivotal calls by Miles Stanley and consistent performances by various team members, played a vital role in the day’s success.
Impact on Standings and Momentum Heading to Kansas
The points Berry earned in New Hampshire—43, his highest haul in more than a month—vaulted him to 16th in the playoff standings. This result comes at a critical moment in the NASCAR Cup Series, as playoff hopefuls like Austin Dillon and Alex Bowman also vie for advancement, and Shane van Gisbergen remains just above Berry in the rankings. Berry’s comeback follows his elimination from playoff contention after prior poor finishes, showing he remains a force among top drivers.
As attention turns to the upcoming race at Kansas Speedway on September 28, Berry is expected to carry forward the momentum. Earlier in the year, he secured a sixth-place result at Kansas in his debut start there for Wood Brothers Racing, signaling promise for a strong showing in the next event. With recent performances highlighting his determination and adaptability, Berry’s journey continues to draw fans and intensify competition among top drivers—including familiar faces such as Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott, and Shane van Gisbergen—across the Cup Series landscape.
The stage is set for another exciting chapter as Berry and his peers prepare for Kansas, their focus sharpened by the high stakes and relentless energy that defines NASCAR’s playoff season.
The No. 21 spins!@joshberry goes for a ride after contact with the No. 88. pic.twitter.com/HmnPv1fUB9
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) September 21, 2025
