Josh Berry is set to start the NASCAR 2026 season with a significant change in his career—a sense of continuity, as he will work alongside the same crew chief, Samuel Miles Stanley, for the first time since joining the Cup Series. This shift marks a pivotal moment for Berry and Wood Brothers Racing, bringing an opportunity for greater stability and consistency as they prepare to compete at the highest level.
Berry’s Newfound Consistency with Wood Brothers Racing
For Josh Berry, the lead-up to the upcoming season feels different from years past, marked by a newfound sense of stability. Previously, Berry transitioned from Stewart-Haas Racing in 2024 to his current team, undertaking the challenge of adapting to new environments and strategies with each move. The consistency of returning with the same supporting staff and leadership has provided Berry with a more settled off-season. The return of Samuel Miles Stanley as crew chief has helped create a collaborative and familiar atmosphere within the team.
“The last couple of years in the Cup Series I have been with two different organizations,”
Berry said, reflecting on his journey from Stewart-Haas Racing to the Wood Brothers in 2025.
“Now, going back to this (Wood Brothers) and having the same group, same crew chief, same engineers, really, same everybody, it just kind of feels more fluid. It doesn’t feel like you’re starting over and learning each other as much. It’s made the off-season feel a little bit longer… because you’re just not doing as much random kind of things that you’ve got to check off.”
– Josh Berry, Driver
Building on a Promising First Year Together
Berry’s partnership with Stanley began last year during their inaugural season working together at Wood Brothers Racing. Their teamwork quickly bore fruit, as Berry captured his first career Cup victory—also the team’s 101st—in Las Vegas. Over the course of the season, the duo added three top-five finishes and eight top tens, setting a foundation to build upon. However, both Berry and Stanley have acknowledged that there is significant room for growth if they hope to consistently challenge for wins and improve their place in the NASCAR Cup standings.
“We sat down early in the off-season and kind of broke it down, looked at each race,”
Berry said.
“It’s a number of things (where improvement is needed). It’s issues on pit road… mechanical problems. I think the biggest thing is just looking at the decision making… towards the end of these races, trying to make sure we get the finishes that we deserve.”
– Josh Berry, Driver
The team has reviewed past performances in detail, aiming to address weaknesses such as mechanical reliability and pit road execution. Berry is especially focused on improving late-race decision making, hoping that more experience together will translate into stronger finishes throughout the 2026 campaign.
NASCAR’s Technical Changes Bring Added Challenge and Opportunity
This season, NASCAR introduces a significant technical update with a new engine package for tracks shorter than 1.5 miles and for road courses. The package increases horsepower to 750, modifies aero characteristics with a three-inch rear spoiler, and includes changes to the rear diffuser. This new setup debuts at the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in early February. Berry, known for his skill on short tracks, sees these changes as a potential advantage for his team.
“That was probably our strongest last year,”
Berry said of the shorter track performances.
“We’re on board with the power change. I think it’ll be interesting to see how the horsepower package changes things.”
– Josh Berry, Driver
The changes are expected to reshape competition on what are traditionally among Berry’s strongest circuits. The Wood Brothers Racing team is hopeful that their adaptability and Berry’s talent at these venues could translate into more frequent visits to victory lane.
Anticipation Builds Ahead of Cook Out Clash Despite Winter Weather
The 2026 season’s unofficial start arrives with the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, featuring practice and heat races set for Saturday evening. Forecasters predict challenging winter weather, with snow and nighttime lows dropping to 15 degrees, while the Sunday schedule includes a non-points race broadcast on Fox. Even with temperatures expected to stay below freezing, anticipation remains high as teams prepare to test the new engine package under unusual conditions.
The Broader Significance for Berry and Wood Brothers Racing
For Josh Berry and Wood Brothers Racing, the combination of deeper team chemistry and competitive technical updates creates a compelling narrative for the upcoming NASCAR season. The return of Samuel Miles Stanley as crew chief adds a level of familiarity that Berry has not experienced before in his Cup Series tenure, enhancing teamwork and communication across the group. The duo’s ability to adapt to new NASCAR regulations, while leveraging their prior successes at short tracks, makes them a team to watch in 2026. As the season gets underway, the focus keyword “Josh Berry NASCAR 2026 season” remains central to both his ambitions and the hopes of Wood Brothers Racing’s storied legacy in the sport.
