Josh Berry and Mike Joy Highlight KDDP Awards Banquet VIP Guests

Josh Berry, a role model for the grassroots racer seeking a path to NASCAR’s Cup Series, is among this year’s VIP guests at the Dec. 12 Kulwicki Driver Development Program Awards Banquet in The Speedway Club at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

The Hendersonville, Tenn., native, who’s stepping into the Wood Brothers famous No. 21 Ford in 2025, will join veteran motorsports play-by-play announcer Mike Joy of Fox Sports in a fireside chat about his career at the banquet.

The event begins at 5 p.m. EST with a reception and dinner. During the evening, the seven finalists in the Kulwicki Driver Development Program will be honored with 2024 Champion Ty Fredrickson being presented the grand prize check for $54,439 and the unique Kulwicki Cup Trophy.

The 34-year-old Berry was discovered by Dale Earnhardt Jr. on iRacing more than a decade ago. Earnhardt tested him and then hired him to drive his Late Model. Berry moved to North Carolina and lived with Earnhardt’s mother while he drove Late Models for Earnhardt. In eight years in the CARS Tour, Berry won 22 Late Model races and the NASCAR weekly racing series national championship.

In 2014, Berry began driving a limited number of NASCAR Xfinity Series races for JR Motorsports. However, it wasn’t until 2021 that the Mooresville, North Carolina-based team had him focus on the Xfinity Series. That year Berry recorded two victories, six top-five and 12 top-10 finishes in 22 events. The following season Berry notched three Xfinity Series victories, 11 top-five finishes, 20 top-10s and one pole position. He was a solid contender for the championship, placing fourth in the standings.

Last year, in addition to running a full Xfinity Series schedule, Berry competed in 10 NASCAR Cup races. He substituted for Chase Elliott in five races, for Alex Bowman in three, and for Noah Gragson in two.

When Tony Stewart named Berry to succeed Kevin Harvick at Stewart-Haas Racing in 2024, he said he selected him because Berry was a “racer.” With the closing of SHR, Berry moves to the Wood Brothers for 2025.

For the third consecutive year, the banquet will be open to the general public to attend. For additional information, sponsorship opportunities and to purchase tickets, please visit our website at www.KulwickiDDP.com today as seating is limited.

Official KDDP media partner RacingAmerica.TV will offer live-streaming coverage of the evening.

The KDDP urges you to keep up with all of its news and activities by regularly visiting RacingAmerica.com, the organization’s official media partner.

-Kulwicki Driver Development Program Release
-Photo credit: Will Bellamy, Racing America