Josh Berry, following three consecutive last-place results in the Round of 16 in the NASCAR Playoffs, is no longer in contention for the Cup Series championship. Despite this, his distinct Josh Berry playoff racing approach at New Hampshire Motor Speedway demonstrated the significant impact a non-playoff driver can have during the heightened postseason battles.
Balancing Competition and Respect Amidst Playoff Intensity
Berry finds himself consistently negotiating the delicate balance between racing for victories and showing deference to those still fighting for the title. At the Mobil 1 301, Berry was locked in a close final-lap battle with Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney, a playoff contender. After Blaney secured a narrow win, he acknowledged Berry for his clean and fair racing, underscoring the mutual respect drivers must uphold in high-stakes situations.
“I was pushing hard to do everything I could to keep Ryan honest,”
Berry stated during a Ford Racing media session.
“I made him work for it, for sure, but I knew… I was gonna have to be careful. I had to make sure nothing bad happened.”
— Josh Berry, Driver
Playoff Rivalries and the Importance of Team Cohesion
While Berry opted for restraint against his playoff-chasing rival, other competitors exhibited more aggressive tactics. During Stage 2 at New Hampshire, Ty Gibbs collided with his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Denny Hamlin, leading to a dramatic incident in Turn 2 on Lap 110 that left both drivers at odds. The aftermath saw team principal Joe Gibbs noting that drivers would resolve their differences on their own, while Hamlin encouraged Joe Gibbs Racing’s leadership to intervene and help restore harmony.
Berry, however, views clear boundaries as essential. Drivers must strive fiercely for themselves and their teams, but should never lose sight of the overall organizational objectives. He articulated his perspective, saying,
“We’re racing for ourselves and our teams and our partners… but you’ve got to take care of those guys,”
and further noted,
“It’s bigger than you. There’s a company with hundreds of employees.”
— Josh Berry, Driver
The situation is further complicated for Berry, given Wood Brothers Racing’s technical alliance with Team Penske. Sharing meetings and data with other Penske drivers like Joey Logano and Austin Cindric, Berry is acutely aware of the potential ramifications of overly aggressive moves—actions that could disrupt the intricate teamwork and jeopardize inter-team partnerships.
“It can create a pretty toxic environment if you don’t hold the drivers accountable,”
Berry added.
“You don’t want to be in a situation like [the Gibbs camp].”
— Josh Berry, Driver
Communication and Trust as Competitive Strategies
The communication within the Team Penske and Wood Brothers Racing alliance has been a foundational strength, with Berry recognizing the advantages of a healthy, transparent work culture. He explained,
“They do a good job of that here… communicating well and establishing that that type of stuff isn’t gonna happen.”
— Josh Berry, Driver
Non-playoff drivers like Berry face a constant challenge in the season’s final weeks: remain fiercely competitive without overstepping. Berry’s approach centers on earning respect through his actions, not demanding it, a guiding principle that shapes his interactions, especially following setbacks such as his recent string of DNFs.
“You move onto the next one,”
Berry emphasized.
“Whether you win or wreck, everybody goes to work Monday for the next race.”
— Josh Berry, Driver
This resilient mindset was evident at New Hampshire, as Berry came back from an early spin to lead laps and finish second. As the Playoffs press on toward Kansas and the Charlotte Roval, Berry’s intention is to maintain this approach, even as tensions and stakes continue to escalate.
Racing With Integrity in a Changing NASCAR Landscape
Berry commented on the dynamics among teammates and competitors, reinforcing his values:
“You race your teammates hard — we’re racing everybody hard,”
he said.
“But it goes a long way if you just cut your guy a break and hopefully receive it on a later day.”
— Josh Berry, Driver
In a period characterized by increased on-track aggression and playoff drama, Berry’s traditionalist mindset offers a noteworthy contrast within the modern NASCAR Cup Series. Rising to the sport’s top tier through unorthodox means, Berry has turned his experiences into guiding lessons—racing with determination without sacrificing relationships or trust.
While his strategy may not always attract significant online attention, its true value manifests inside the team environment, where reliability and cooperation are prized among drivers, mechanics, and all members of the organization. The Josh Berry playoff racing approach, anchored by respect and an understanding of the bigger picture, continues to shape both his career and the culture within Wood Brothers Racing as the championship battles unfold.
TENSIONS. ARE. HIGH. 👀
Denny Hamlin voices some frustration while battling with teammate Ty Gibbs. #NASCARPlayoffs
📺: @USANetwork pic.twitter.com/epxts7yuDJ
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) September 21, 2025
