NASCAR
NASCAR’s Oldest Team Wood Brother’s Racing Hires Josh Berry for No. 21 Ford in 2025
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Announced Wednesday, the famed NASCAR Cup Series No. 21 Ford Mustang will have a new driver for 2025. Current Cup Series rookie Josh Berry will move to Wood Brothers Racing. Berry, 33, from Hendersonville, Tennessee, is amidst his first full-time campaign with Stewart-Haas Racing. This team is shutting down at season’s end.
Berry’s new opportunity will be closely aligned with two-time defending championship-winning Team Penske. The short track ace will be gunning for the Wood Brothers’ 100th Cup Series checkered flag in the new year.
“First and foremost just the history, the heritage, the family atmosphere that the Wood Brothers provide,” Berry said. “It just really feels like a great fit for me. I feel like I fit their brand and who they are and how I’ve gotten here and how they’ve gotten here. I feel like this is a great fit. I’ve really enjoyed my relationship with Ford. To continue that on was something that’s important to me and I appreciate and I’m thankful to have that opportunity. It just really means a lot to drive an iconic car like the 21. I feel like it’s a great opportunity for me. I feel ready to provide results and I think that, all in all, it’s gonna be a great relationship.”
“We started hearing Josh’s name like, who won Hickory? Josh Berry. Who won Tri-County? Josh Berry,” said team Chief Operating Officer Len Wood. “That kind of stuck in the back of our head from years ago. I think when he came in and drove for Chase Elliott when he had his leg problem, he did really well. He adapted quickly. I think it was Darlington where he didn’t have a good qualifying lap and started in the back, but he finished third. That kind of catches your eye. And then the last few weeks he’s been pretty much up front at the end of each race, so that’s what we’re looking for.”
“We need to be better,” said President Jon Wood. “There’s no secret in that. This is a business that’s based on chemistry and it’s a sport that’s based on results and, right now, we’re just not having those results. If Harrison (Burton) shares some of the responsibility, if it’s on us, we’re not pointing fingers. We’re not here to say this one is at fault or that one is at fault, we’re just not where we need to be. Finding that right chemistry and balance to have those results in performance, that’s what we’re looking for.”
Through 19 races in the 2024 season, Berry ranks 19th in points with two top-fives, four top-10s, and an average finish of 20.1. In this same time span, the No. 21 has one top-10 (Talladega), is 33rd in points, and has a 26.7 average finish.
Harrison Burton’s plans for next season remain TBD, as does Berry’s crew chief and other team personnel. The Wood Brothers last won at Pocono in 2017 with Ryan Blaney. Their next victory would be number 100 in their lengthy team history. It will be fun to see how Berry acclimates to this team and the Penske alliance, and if they can come out of the gate strong in 2025.
Written by Peter Stratta
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Photo Credit to Ford Performance
