Josh Berry’s NASCAR career has been shaped not only by his on-track achievements, but also by a steadfast connection with fellow driver Ryan Preece, forged during their shared season at Stewart-Haas Racing. In the 2025 NASCAR season, as Berry shifted to Wood Brothers Racing and found playoff success, this friendship has continued to provide personal motivation and camaraderie, even while their professional journeys diverged.
New Beginnings After Team Changes
Stewart-Haas Racing underwent significant changes following Kevin Harvick’s departure in 2023, as Tony Stewart began concentrating on his Drag Racing endeavor and planned his own future exit. Within the reshuffled lineup of Chase Briscoe, Noah Gragson, Josh Berry, and Ryan Preece, the strongest friendship developed between Berry and Preece. The pair stuck together even as the organization shuttered its operations, and drivers scattered to new teams for the next chapter of their careers.
After the closure, each found a new path: Chase Briscoe moved into the No. 19 seat previously held by Martin Truex Jr., Noah Gragson was signed by Front Row Motorsports, and Josh Berry joined Wood Brothers Racing. Meanwhile, Ryan Preece received an opportunity at RFK Racing with support from Brad Keselowski—an offer that came only after the season’s conclusion, testing Preece’s patience and forcing preparation on short notice.
Bonds Forged Through Challenges
The shared journey through Stewart-Haas Racing’s tough final season cemented the relationship between Berry and Preece. When asked during Jeff Gluck’s 12 Questions interview about which driver he would want to congratulate should they reach victory lane, Berry immediately highlighted his bond with Preece.
We have similar backgrounds and stories, and we spent a lot of time together last year (at Stewart-Haas Racing). It was a tough situation for both of us to navigate, and I feel like we both learned from each other. I’ll be right there when he finally wins a race, it’s coming sooner or later,
Berry said, describing their close connection formed by mutual challenges and perseverance.
Both drivers faced significant adjustments as they left Stewart-Haas Racing and transitioned to new teams. Berry’s move meant leaving behind crew chief Rodney Childers, which highlighted the uncertainty and upheaval. For Preece, the invitation to join RFK was a late opportunity, but it was one he embraced, determined to prove himself in a new setting.
Performance and Growth in 2025
The 2025 season rewarded both Berry and Preece for their resilience and hard work. Berry qualified for the playoffs with a crucial win in Las Vegas and maintained consistent performance throughout the year. As part of Wood Brothers Racing, he improved on his previous year’s results, collecting three top-five finishes and eight top-ten results before finishing sixteenth in the standings.
Preece, driving the No. 60 Ford Mustang for RFK Racing, also made notable gains, tallying three top-five finishes and fourteen top-ten results, ultimately placing eighteenth in points. Compared to the prior season at Stewart-Haas Racing, where Berry’s rookie campaign ended in twenty-seventh with just two top fives and Preece finished in the mid-twenties, both drivers demonstrated significant improvement and steadiness.
The Enduring Impact of Friendship
The support and understanding between Berry and Preece have remained a constant even as their career paths have split. Berry’s on-track momentum has kept him moving toward deeper playoff runs, while Preece continues to refine his skills and pursue his breakthrough with RFK Racing. The mutual encouragement and shared experiences have transformed challenges into a source of strength, underscoring the importance of friendship in a competitive sport like NASCAR.
As Berry continues to pursue greater heights in his NASCAR career, his promise to stand by Preece’s side when his friend finally claims victory speaks to the depth of their connection. Both drivers, bonded by similar journeys and shaped by shared adversity, now look ahead to future successes, carrying lessons and respect earned from racing the long, hard road together.
