Current NASCAR Cup Series rookie Josh Berry is set to join forces with Wood Brothers Racing, one of NASCAR's longest-running and most historic organizations, for a full-time campaign in 2025.
The organization officially announced the acquisition of Berry on Wednesday in a press conference held at the Ford Performance Technical Center in Concord, North Carolina. The deal is said to be a multi-year contract, and the team has announced they will continue to receive support from longtime partner Ford Motorcraft / Quick Lane.
"It's a multiyear deal as long as I run good, and I don't plan on running bad," Berry quipped during the official press announcement on Wednesday.
A native of Hendersonville, Tennessee, Berry will replace Harrison Burton as the new driver of the No. 21 Ford Mustang Dark Horse next season, in what will serve as his second full-time season in the NASCAR Cup Series. The team called the addition of Berry to their organization, "a significant milestone."
“Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of working with a multitude of successful drivers, and now having the opportunity to add Josh Berry to that list is a significant milestone for our team,” said Jon Wood, president, Wood Brothers Racing. “Josh brings a wealth of talent and determination, evident thorough his success in every level of competition, from grassroots NASCAR to present day. He fits the values of our team, and we believe that with Josh behind the wheel, we will achieve great things together on the track.”
The Wood Brothers (a.k.a. Wood Brothers Racing) has been a staple of the NASCAR world since the organization's first-ever start with Glen Wood in 1953, and with a number of talented drivers, have visited Victory Lane on 99 occasions in the Cup Series. Berry is honored to join the prestigious organization.
“When you think of the history and legacy of NASCAR, it’s hard to not think of the Wood Brothers and the incredible impact they’ve made on the sport. It’s an honor and a privilege to be a small part of carrying on that legacy,” said Berry. “To be able to add my name to the list of drivers who have piloted the iconic No. 21 is something I don’t take lightly.”
Since the organization's most recent victory in the 2017 Pocono 400 more than seven years ago, Wood Brothers Racing has been chasing a landmark 100th win in the NASCAR Cup Series, first with Ryan Blaney, then continuing with drivers Paul Menard, Matt DiBenedetto, and most recently, Harrison Burton.
Should Burton remain winless throughout the end of the season, Berry will be the next driver to step up to the plate in search of said landmark win, bringing his successes from the NASCAR Xfinity Series and momentum from a solid rookie campaign in the NASCAR Cup Series with him to the entry for 2025.
However, one thing/person Berry won't be bringing with him to Wood Brothers Racing is current crew chief Rodney Childers. The team will announce who will be calling the shots on the No. 21 Ford Mustang at a later date along with what primary sponsorship partners will adorn the race car.
Following the official announcement of Berry to the Wood Brothers car in 2025, Childers shared praise of the driver in a post on his X account. In the post, Childers said, "I can't even explain how happy I am for @joshberry .. He has worked his butt off for a long time to get this opportunity. This 4 team takes great gratitude in being a part of showing the world what he can do. He's a winner and has a huge future."
Under the watchful eye of Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Berry was brought up from the Late Model ranks and given another chance at NASCAR after winning the Advanced Auto Parts Weekly Series Championship in 2020.
After two full-time campaigns in the Xfinity Series with JR Motorsports -- which resulted in five victories and a fourth-place points finish in 2022 -- Berry was called upon by Kevin Harvick and Stewart-Haas Racing to pilot the No. 4 Ford Mustang in the NASCAR Cup Series, as Harvick announced his retirement following the 2023 season.
In 19 NASCAR Cup Series starts this season, Berry has recorded a pair of top-five finishes and four top-10s, which has landed him 19th place in regular-season point standings but more than 100 markers outside the post-season.
Before his time at Stewart-Haas Racing, Berry also served as an interim driver, on two separate occasions, for Hendrick Motorsports, which netted him a career-best second-place result at Richmond Raceway in 2023.
Motorcraft and Quick Lane are expected to continue their long-standing relationship with Wood Brothers Racing in 2025. Additional sponsorship partners will be announced in the months leading up to the new NASCAR Cup Series campaign.
Photo Credit: Craig White, TobyChristie.com
