Wood Brothers Racing and driver Josh Berry saw their chances at Phoenix Raceway dashed prematurely in Sunday’s Straight Talk Wireless 500 after a late-race crash ended their run with 58 laps to go. The team, hoping to build momentum at the Arizona track, became entangled in a multi-car incident, relegating Berry and the No. 21 eero Ford Mustang Dark Horse to a disappointing 32nd-place finish. The focus keyword, “Wood Brothers Racing Phoenix Raceway,” was central throughout the day as the team battled adversity on the mile oval.
Solid Start and Early Setback
The Phoenix event began with promise for Josh Berry, who lined up 10th on the grid on Sunday, March 8, 2026, in Avondale, Arizona. He ran strongly during the initial 60 laps, staying consistently within the top 15 and finishing Stage 1 in 15th place. However, during Stage 2, Berry’s fortunes took a downturn when he was involved in an incident on Lap 104, resulting in damage to his car’s front splitter and a slip back to 26th in the order.
Battle Back to the Front
Following repairs and determination from the No. 21 team, Berry mounted an impressive comeback. He navigated through traffic and improved his standing, managing to secure 14th place at the end of Stage 2. Unfortunately, this effort expended most of the team’s limited tire allocation, leaving them with fewer options as the race reached its critical stages.
Tire Gamble and Brief Lead
An opportunity arose when a caution flag was triggered by a crash involving Ryan Preece. While many competitors opted to pit for fresh tires, Berry and his team chose to remain on track, which propelled him into the race lead for a 13-lap stint at the front of the pack. The bold strategy, however, could not overcome the effects of worn tires as, once the green flag waved again, newer tires on rival cars allowed them to quickly overtake Berry, pushing him down the running order outside the top 20.
Crash Brings Early Exit
Just past the seventh caution period and after another restart, disaster struck for the Wood Brothers Racing team. Berry was caught up in a seven-car crash with 58 laps remaining, marking a frustrating end to what had been a resilient drive. Reflecting on the crash, Berry explained how quickly it unfolded and the lack of options he had to avoid the incident.
“It was a tough day, a really tough day,”
Josh Berry, Driver
“We didn’t have the car like we wanted. We had some bright spots there and got some track position and looked alright. Ultimately we were down a set of tires and honestly we were just trying to finish it out and take what we could today. We just got caught up in the issues.”
Josh Berry, Driver
Looking Ahead to Las Vegas
Despite the setbacks at Phoenix Raceway, Josh Berry and Wood Brothers Racing are already turning their attention to the next event. The team will travel to Las Vegas Motor Speedway next weekend, returning to a venue where they are the defending winners of the Pennzoil 400. With lessons learned from a challenging Phoenix outing, the No. 21 squad aims to recapture their earlier success and podium potential.
Impact of Phoenix Raceway Events
The conclusion of the Straight Talk Wireless 500 dealt a blow to Wood Brothers Racing’s early-season aspirations but also highlighted the unpredictable and strategic nature of NASCAR competition. With notable incidents involving drivers like Ryan Preece and others, the Phoenix round showcased the razor-thin margins and pivotal decisions that shape race day outcomes.
Fans and enthusiasts will be watching closely as the team regroups, and as Berry looks to rebound against a competitive NASCAR field at Las Vegas. The next chapters in the season could prove pivotal for both Berry and the Wood Brothers Racing squad as they seek to put the setback at Phoenix Raceway behind them and return to form in upcoming events.
