Josh Berry and the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane team head into Sunday’s Autotrader 400 at EchoPark Speedway with renewed optimism, aiming to build on their strong start to the 2026 season. After ending a multi-year top-10 drought at the Daytona 500, Wood Brothers Racing now turns its attention to leveraging that momentum at a challenging, superspeedway-style Atlanta track.
Berry’s Daytona Success Reignites Hopes
The season opener at Daytona saw Berry deliver a ninth-place finish, marking Wood Brothers Racing’s first top-10 in the 500 since 2018, when Paul Menard achieved a sixth-place result. That accomplishment snapped a lingering dry spell for the team and placed Berry 12th in the Cup Series standings, an advantageous position considering the current championship format’s tighter requirements for entry into the Chase. With the “win-and-you’re-in” feature now gone, every strong finish holds new weight as the season progresses.
Team Looks to Translate Speed from Daytona to EchoPark
Following his Daytona performance, Berry has been vocal about the need to carry forward the team’s recent gains as they head to EchoPark Speedway. The 1.54-mile oval, rebranded from Atlanta Motor Speedway, now mimics superspeedway racing characteristics, with drafting, precision, and positioning crucial for success. Berry reflected on the team’s Daytona result, stating,
“I’m proud of the speed we showed at Daytona,”
Josh Berry, Driver.
Berry praised the car’s performance, highlighting the consistent competitiveness displayed by the No. 21 Ford Mustang throughout the opening weekend. Looking ahead to Atlanta, he emphasized the team’s potential to compete near the front, while acknowledging that past results haven’t always matched the speed they’ve shown. Berry explained,
“Atlanta races similar to Daytona now, so hopefully we can build on what we learned last week and put together a complete race.”
Josh Berry, Driver.
Past Atlanta Outings Show Potential and Challenge
Last season, Berry delivered standout qualifying runs at Atlanta, starting third in the spring and second in the summer. However, despite these promising grid spots, various incidents prevented strong finishes, which underlines the need for execution and race-long consistency on Sunday.
Race Weekend Details and Strategic Implications
This weekend’s schedule at EchoPark Speedway brings another layer of challenge, as there will be no practice before qualifying, which takes place Saturday at 11 a.m. ET. The 400-mile, 260-lap event is set to unfold Sunday just after 3 p.m. ET, with televised coverage provided by FOX. Stage breaks are scheduled for Lap 60 and Lap 160, presenting strategic junctures for Berry, the Wood Brothers, and the rest of the field.
With a strong Daytona finish and a focus on turning qualifying speed into race results, Wood Brothers Racing sees this EchoPark Speedway event as an opportunity to cement early-season progress. Berry’s performance and the team’s preparation will set the tone as they continue to navigate the demanding pace and unpredictability of the 2026 Cup Series.
