A dramatic turn unfolded at Southern National Park over the weekend as a protest involving Josh Berry’s team rocked the conclusion of the 25th Thanksgiving Classic, casting a shadow over Doug Barnes Jr.’s provisional victory. The ongoing Josh Berry Thanksgiving Classic protest has left official results in limbo and sparked debate among teams, drivers, and fans alike.
A Shocking Finish Leads to Uncertainty
Josh Berry arrived at the Thanksgiving Classic poised for success, having led the Friday practice sessions and securing a strong third-place start for Sunday’s main event. At 37, Berry was considered a favorite to claim his third event win. But as Sunday’s race played out, Doug Barnes Jr. seized the opportunity, charging to the front from the back of the grid and collecting the trophy at Southern National Park. However, celebrations quickly gave way to controversy as Berry’s Tom Usry Racing team lodged an official protest against Barnes Jr., upending the immediate post-race atmosphere.
The essence of the Josh Berry Thanksgiving Classic protest centers on the legitimacy of Barnes Jr.’s win. Tom Usry and Marcus Richmond, who oversee the No. 17 car driven by Berry, submitted a protest immediately following the race finish. This raised questions about technical compliance and race conduct, launching a comprehensive inspection process as the teams awaited a verdict. Not to be outdone, Barnes Jr. responded with a counterprotest, subjecting both the victorious and protesting cars to a meticulous teardown and scrutiny by officials.
Throughout this post-race ordeal, driver Josh Berry and his crew remained the focal point. While the full details regarding the reason for the protest have not been disclosed publicly, the implications loom large, with standings potentially being revised and key positions hanging in the balance.
It’s fun. I’ve obviously had a busy year, and it’s the first opportunity I’ve had to race a Late Model Stock this year, obviously,
the No. 21 driver said before Sunday.
I’ve won this race a couple times, had some success here, and it’s a fun one to come race.
Meanwhile, a late-race encounter with Lee Pulliam further complicated Berry’s day. Both drivers became tangled close to the finish of the 250-lap contest, resulting in Berry spinning out and eliminating his shot at a clear win, all as Barnes Jr.—who hadn’t set an official qualifying lap—stormed up from the rear to seize what would become a contested victory. With final post-race inspections pending, the official outcome of the Thanksgiving Classic remains unresolved, highlighting the high stakes and tension evident throughout the event.
Official Announcement Delayed Amid Escalating Tensions
Amid the growing dispute, Matt Weaver provided real-time insights into the unfolding situation. Both Barnes Jr. and the Berry-led No. 17 team had their vehicles torn down for intense scrutiny, with all involved waiting for confirmation of official race results. As Weaver indicated, the process of evaluating both protests would prove to be a drawn-out affair, with supporters and critics alike left in suspense.
I emphasized unofficial because Doug Barnes Jr. is indeed being protested by Tom Usry and Marcus Richmond — the leadership of the 17 car driven by Josh BerryBarnes in turn counter-protested the 17 so now both are being torn downThis is going to be awhile https://t.co/Wj73QWfvi9 pic.twitter.com/02UGGwdz7J— Matt Weaver (@MattWeaverRA) December 1, 2025
As the dust settled, Barnes Jr. and Berry departed from the facility, with notable tension unresolved. Barnes Jr., holding the provisional trophy, directed fans to his social media for the latest updates, while Berry maintained a reserved distance from the evolving dispute. The entire competitive field—drivers such as Andrew Grady, Tyler Matthews, and Mason Bailey among them—now faces uncertainty, as the ongoing investigation could see significant changes in final standings.
Berry Reflects on a Costly Late-Race Tangle
Josh Berry’s Sunday began on a path to victory, but quickly unraveled after a significant error late in the race. With a promising position after qualifying third, Berry’s hopes for another Thanksgiving Classic championship were high. However, in the crucial closing laps, a misstep during a restart with Lee Pulliam, who had started deep in the field, changed the trajectory of Berry’s day.
I just didn’t use the clutch and just didn’t get it in fourth, and, you know, I tore up some cars there,
Berry admitted.
That was pretty embarrassing, but, you know, after that, it was fine. And, yeah, the restart with Lee, I mean, honestly, I don’t really know. I mean, I haven’t seen it, obviously, but I mean, I felt like I was cleared down and got ran into.
The collision with Pulliam, himself a former Thanksgiving Classic winner and a favorite for the race, took both serious contenders out of winning contention. What had been a hotly contested event became mired in frustration for Berry, who openly acknowledged his mistake as being both humbling and costly.
With technical protests looming and the aftermath of the on-track incident fresh, the 25th Thanksgiving Classic maintained its reputation for unpredictability and drama.
Possible Outcomes and Looking Ahead
As officials continue their post-race investigation, the motorsports world is waiting to see how the Josh Berry Thanksgiving Classic protest will ultimately reshape the final results. Whether the scrutiny of both the Berry and Barnes Jr. cars will lead to disqualifications or corrections to the race order remains unknown. The ongoing uncertainty underscores the intensity and competitiveness that define short-track racing events such as the Thanksgiving Classic.
For Berry, this episode represents a weekend of challenging lessons, both in terms of on-track execution and the aftermath that can follow when aspirations for a clean victory are upended by controversy. For Doug Barnes Jr., the drama serves as a reminder that every celebration can quickly be interrupted by regulatory scrutiny—keeping this edition of the Thanksgiving Classic firmly in the spotlight long after the checkered flag has waved.
I emphasized unofficial because Doug Barnes Jr. is indeed being protested by Tom Usry and Marcus Richmond — the leadership of the 17 car driven by Josh Berry
Barnes in turn counter-protested the 17 so now both are being torn down
This is going to be awhile https://t.co/Wj73QWfvi9 pic.twitter.com/02UGGwdz7J
— Matt Weaver (@MattWeaverRA) December 1, 2025
