Josh Berry returned to Late Model racing at Southern National Motorsports and found the competition to be more challenging than before during Sunday’s Thanksgiving Classic. Competing for his third title in the prestigious event, Berry highlighted how the environment in Josh Berry Late Model racing has shifted, making his latest outing especially demanding.
Berry’s Attempt at a Third Thanksgiving Classic Victory
Racing for Tom Usry Racing this time, the Woods Brothers Racing driver started on the second row behind Ronnie Bassett Jr. and Matt Cox, hoping to capture another win after his previous triumphs in 2021 and 2022. Despite a strong qualifying effort, Berry faced setbacks during the 250-lap contest. Two troublesome restarts and a late-race collision with Lee Pulliam interrupted his run, which ultimately resulted in him finishing in the runner-up position as Doug Barnes Jr. surged from last on the grid to take the checkered flag.
Reflecting on his experience after the race, Berry discussed the challenges and shifts in the level of competition he now faces when returning to the Late Model scene. In his post-race interview with Matt Weaver, Berry stated,
“It been fun coming doing this, you know it’s like once or twice a year is good enough for me at this point, but it’s always fun to come back here and just be fast and be competitive and qualify well and race well right, like I always say it, you know, it gets harder and harder every time I come back and do this. It feels so much different, but just to pop in with these guys like that and run as competitive as we did and have a shot at the thing. It’s pretty cool.” – Josh Berry, Driver
The experience proved to be a test even for a seasoned competitor like Berry, who found the transition from Cup and Xfinity cars to the Late Model machine to be far from seamless. He admitted to making a costly mental error on the first restart by forgetting to use the clutch, which impacted his performance in the critical moments of the race.
Berry’s Recent Controversies and Longtime Support from Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Berry’s season has included its share of controversy, particularly at Sonoma Raceway where he was criticized for spinning out Erik Jones and Carson Hocevar. Nevertheless, NASCAR veteran Dale Earnhardt Jr. publicly defended Berry, especially regarding the incident with Jones, noting it was retribution for a prior on-track run-in in Chicago. Earnhardt’s outspoken support was evident in his comments on his podcast, where he remarked,
“Everybody who’s sitting here going, ‘F*** Dale Jr. and his Josh Berry fandom, of course he’s going to tap his back.’ You’re right. You’re absolutely right. Josh is the f***ing man.” – Dale Earnhardt Jr., Cup Series Veteran
Dale Earnhardt Jr. did acknowledge that Berry’s move against Hocevar could be seen as intentional, a view that fueled debate among fans and competitors alike. Following the incident, Berry completed the race in 13th place, while Hocevar’s promising top-10 effort faded to 32nd.
Berry’s relationship with Earnhardt runs deep, as Berry once competed for JR Motorsports in the CARS Tour Late Model Stock division, amassing an impressive 95 wins and two championship titles. Earnhardt played a pivotal role in Berry’s career progression, eventually aiding his step up to the Cup Series as a full-time driver for Wood Brothers Racing. Berry quickly rose to the challenge, notching his first Cup victory at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and earning the iconic team its 101st series win.
The Evolving Challenge and Significance of Josh Berry’s Late Model Racing Comebacks
Josh Berry’s experience during the Thanksgiving Classic underscores the rising skill level and competition intensity in the Late Model ranks, particularly as he balances commitments in the Cup Series. The shift between different types of racecars has proven both demanding and rewarding, pushing Berry to adapt quickly and value every opportunity to prove himself against both veterans and emerging talents, such as Doug Barnes Jr. and Ronnie Bassett Jr.
With continued support from influential figures like Dale Earnhardt Jr. and a history rooted in grassroots racing, Berry’s appearances in Late Model contests remain an important part of his ongoing journey in motorsports. His willingness to embrace new challenges and reflect openly on his mistakes illustrate how the landscape of Josh Berry Late Model racing continues to evolve—and how even the most experienced drivers must stay sharp to compete at the highest levels of the sport.
Josh Berry on the difference to Doug Barnes Jr. at the end, spacing out on one restart from second to third gear, and then the incident with Lee Pulliam pic.twitter.com/dVi4L8G6cq
— Matt Weaver (@MattWeaverRA) November 30, 2025
