Josh Berry exemplifies the notion that two realities can coexist simultaneously. He has expressed satisfaction with the performance of his Wood Brothers Racing team during the early months of the NASCAR Cup Series season. The highlight came when Berry celebrated a victory at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March, marking a significant return to the winner’s circle for the organization. He has also showcased his talent by leading laps in six out of eleven races, reflecting the hard work and dedication put forth by his team.
However, Berry has openly acknowledged some frustration regarding missed opportunities in terms of points and race outcomes. Since his victory, he has struggled to secure a top-10 finish. At Martinsville Speedway, an electrical issue interrupted a promising day after he had led for 40 laps. Similarly, his race at Darlington Raceway ended in a crash while he was positioned within the top 10. At Talladega Superspeedway, a speeding penalty hindered his progress after he had been leading laps, and just last weekend at Texas Motor Speedway, he faced misfortune again, crashing after hitting a bump in Turn 4 while in the lead.
These events illustrate that two truths can coexist. For a driver and team eager to establish their place in the competitive NASCAR landscape, consistently running at the front of the pack is an achievement in itself. “It’s been really exciting, honestly,” Berry remarked in anticipation of the race at Kansas Speedway. “It’s just built up everybody’s confidence, and we’re having a lot of fun. For me, it’s interesting because after you win a race, people often ask if the pressure is off now that you’ve achieved that milestone. If anything, I feel even more motivated and excited each day, knowing the effort we’ve invested — it all started the Tuesday after Phoenix when we were right back in the simulator, working with the team.”
Berry transitioned to Wood Brothers Racing from Stewart-Haas Racing, with the announcement made in July. By the end of the previous season, he was already fitted for his driver suit and beginning to acclimate to his new team. In October, Miles Stanley was appointed as the crew chief. Stanley, a former engineer from Team Penske, brings a wealth of experience, including championship wins to his new role.
“We spent considerable time with them during the offseason, getting to know Miles and collaborating with him, which reinforces all the effort we’ve put in,” Berry continued. “You begin to feel confident that you’re making the right moves and focusing on the key areas, which motivates you to keep pushing further and preparing for even more opportunities. It’s been a lot of fun.”
Reflecting on his journey, Berry noted, “I left my previous situation last year with some doubts about my ability to compete at this level, and now, just six months later, I find myself leading laps in multiple races and having secured a win. This transformation has been incredible, and I’m enjoying the chance to work with Miles. He’s doing an excellent job, and the entire team has been incredibly supportive, even after the crash on Sunday. They want me to continue pushing hard, leading laps, and giving us all more opportunities.”
Currently, it’s evident that Berry is poised for a standout season. He has already led more laps than he did in the entirety of the previous year, and he has matched his top-five finishes from that season. It is highly likely that he will exceed the four top-10 finishes achieved in all of 2024. Wood Brothers Racing is also gearing up for one of its strongest seasons in recent years. The organization concluded last year in 16th place in the championship, thanks to Harrison Burton’s victory at Daytona that secured a playoff berth. Expectations are notably higher now with Berry, who has led more laps in the first 11 races than the team has in the last seven years combined.
As Berry gains more experience leading in races, his confidence continues to grow, which bodes well for the team as they strive to convert their potential into results. “One thing about this new car is that it’s vastly different from what many of us have been accustomed to racing — particularly in terms of how it responds,” he explained. “I’ve learned a great deal and feel I have a solid grasp of the Next Gen car’s driving dynamics and what I need from the vehicle when we arrive at different tracks. This understanding aligns well with Miles’ insights, allowing us to effectively prepare for races, whether it involves decisions about the car setup or our simulator preparations. Building this confidence is crucial, knowing that we are focusing on the right things and seeing those efforts pay off.”
Berry emphasized the importance of starting strong during practice sessions, saying, “Ultimately, it comes down to unloading the car well and establishing that confidence early on. Getting a good feel for your vehicle sets you up for a successful qualifying session, and having a solid track position at the race start significantly eases the challenges ahead. Learning from these experiences and building on them has been incredibly beneficial.”
As the season progresses, it is clear that Berry and the Wood Brothers Racing team are on an exciting trajectory. With their strong performance early in the season and a focus on continuous improvement, they are determined to maximize their potential and achieve greater success in the competitive world of NASCAR. The combination of Berry’s growing confidence, the support of his crew, and their collaborative efforts bodes well for the remainder of the season, as they aim to turn their aspirations into reality on the racetrack.
