Starting as a mechanic in Dale Jr.’s Xfinity program to win his first NASCAR Cup Series race, Josh Berry has certainly come a long way. While the hype was around, Christopher Bell aiming to go four wins in a row, along with Hendrick Motorsports strong run in Vegas, Berry stunned everyone when he took the checkered flag to conclude the Pennzoil 400.
It was not just a personal milestone for Berry but also the 101st victory for NASCAR’s oldest team, further cementing their legacy. No one expected the No. 21 team to pack a punch and be real contenders last weekend, and this is why Berry’s win was seen as a surprise for many. However, Berry just wasn’t sold on the sentiment of his team catching a lucky break in Vegas, rather he emphasized how good his start to the 2025 season has been. Crediting his team for the success and perhaps a hint of what we can expect from them further down the road.
Josh Berry earned his victory at Las Vegas
The pivotal moment came with 25 laps remaining when Noah Gragson hit the wall, triggering the final caution. This set up a dramatic restart on Lap 248, where Berry lined up alongside Daniel Suárez for an intense side-by-side battle. While the No. 99 car tried to fend off the charge by Berry, the Wood Brothers Racing driver would make a pass on him on Lap 254. From here on he was comfortably in the lead and snagged the first race win of the season.
Berry and his team were made to work for this win, but the idea that this was a surprise win for the No. 21 team was refuted by the driver. “I feel like we’ve had a solid start to the year. I feel like we’ve been in contention for leading laps upfront in three out of the first five races, which you have to do in the Cup Series to give yourself an opportunity to win.” Josh Berry said this on Victory Lap.
At both the superspeedway races, the No. 21 car was out in front running with the leaders. At Atlanta, Berry snagged a stage win and so far he’s led 74 laps in five races. Take COTA out of the equation, he ran well in Phoenix grabbing his first top 5 finish of the season. And then his team made some bold moves strategy-wise to find the victory lane in Vegas. For context, the likes of Kyle Larson, Tyler Reddick, and Chase Elliott have not led more laps so far in 2025 than Josh Berry. And looking back at the races, it’s clear that Berry and his crew were preparing for a big result.
During the ninth and final caution of the race, Berry and his crew chief rolled the dice and opted for four tires, while Ross Chastain and a few others opted for two. It was a bang-bang call and it worked in favor of the #21 team. The Wood Brothers Racing driver had confidence in Stanely Miles and relied on his expertise while making the tire call. “I told him after we had that issue on pit road, I was like, don’t be afraid to be different here to give us an opportunity to get back up front. And we were able to do that and capitalize.” Berry added.
MARTINSVILLE, VIRGINIA – APRIL 11: Josh Berry, driver of the #8 Chevrolet Accessories Chevrolet, celebrates after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series Cook Out 250 at Martinsville Speedway on April 11, 2021 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
Berry credited much of his success to Wood Brothers Racing’s partnership with Team Penske. “They’ve been so good to me,” he said. “Team Penske has welcomed me with open arms and tried to accelerate this learning process as much as they can.” This collaboration transformed Wood Brothers’ No. 21 car into a competitive force capable of challenging NASCAR’s top teams. With last year’s Daytona win, WBR now had two Cup Series win in the last 17 races.
And for those who are still doubting Berry’s ability to lead laps and win races at the top level, maybe they should take a peek into his racing journey.
From Short Tracks to NASCAR Glory The Journey of Josh Berry
Josh Berry’s rise to NASCAR stardom has been anything but conventional. Five years ago, he was seen as a career short-track racer with limited prospects of breaking into NASCAR’s top level. Racing Late Model Stock Cars for JR Motorsports, he dominated local circuits but lacked the funding typically required for advancement. However, Dale Earnhardt Jr., who saw potential in Berry, gave him an opportunity in the Xfinity Series a chance that changed everything.
Berry made his Xfinity debut in 2014 but didn’t secure a full-time ride until 2022. That year, he won thrice, out of these three his last win came at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The following year he ran a full-time schedule again and drove for Hendrick Motorsports in the No. 9 car. Berry was filling in for Chase Elliott was out injured, and he came oh so close to grabbing his first win at Richmond Raceway, which is his bread and butter.
In 2024, Stewart-Haas Racing signed Berry to replace retiring legend Kevin Harvick. Although he faced challenges during his debut Cup season marked by Stewart-Haas Racing’s eventual closure, Berry gained invaluable experience competing against NASCAR’s elite. When Wood Brothers Racing offered him a full-time seat for the 2025 season, it was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up.
Las Vegas Motor Speedway has always been special for Berry. He won there twice in the Xfinity Series and now adds a Cup Series victory to his resume at the same track. “Oh man, I don’t even know what to think,” Berry said after his win. “Las Vegas has been so good to me so many great moments here.”
Berry’s journey is a testament to perseverance and seizing opportunities when they arise. As he put it during his post-race press conference: “Five years ago, I felt like I was going to be a career short-track racer… JR Motorsports gave me a chance to drive an Xfinity race. I won a race, won another race… Here I am now.”
This historic win also underscores how partnerships like that between Wood Brothers Racing and Team Penske can elevate smaller teams in an era dominated by mega-teams like Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing. For Josh Berry, this victory is likely just the beginning of what promises to be an exciting career at NASCAR’s highest level.
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