Josh Berry Bio
Joshua William Berry is an American professional stock car racing driver who competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 21 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Wood Brothers Racing. Born on October 22, 1990, in Hendersonville, Tennessee, Berry established himself as one of the most successful Late Model Stock Car drivers in racing history before rising to the national level.
Berry is widely recognized for becoming the all-time winningest driver in CARS Tour history during his tenure with JR Motorsports from 2010 to 2023. His journey from local short track racing to the highest level of NASCAR showcases a career built on consistency, perseverance, and development behind the wheel of JR Motorsports vehicles.
Early Life and Background
Berry grew up in Hendersonville, Tennessee, and attended Volunteer State Community College. During his formative years, he worked as a bank teller to fund his racing ambitions while competing in Legend Cars at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway. His dedication to the sport required balancing traditional employment with his passion for racing.
Notably, Berry was a classmate of two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Josef Newgarden during seventh and eighth grades. He also attended high school at the same time as global superstar Taylor Swift, demonstrating the diverse circles of his Tennessee upbringing.
His breakthrough moment came in 2008 when he met Dale Earnhardt Jr. through an online sim racing league called DMP Online Racing. This virtual connection would later prove pivotal to his professional career trajectory.
Path to NASCAR
Dale Earnhardt Jr. signed Berry to JR Motorsports in 2010 to compete in late model racing. This partnership provided Berry with the opportunity to develop his skills under one of NASCAR’s most prominent organizations. His tenure in the Late Model Stock Car division yielded exceptional results.
Berry dominated the CARS Tour, setting records for wins that still stand today. His success in the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series culminated in a national championship with 24 victories in 2020 after shifting focus from the CARS Tour schedule.
His performance in short track racing earned him opportunities in NASCAR’s national series, beginning with the Xfinity Series. Berry’s methodical ascent through the racing ranks demonstrated the effectiveness of the traditional development path.
Josh Berry Career
Early Career (2011-2020)
Berry made his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut in 2014 at Iowa Speedway, driving the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro for JR Motorsports. He started tenth and finished twelfth, completing all laps on the lead lap. He returned for the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway, adding another lead-lap finish.
Through 2015 and 2016, Berry made sporadic appearances in the Xfinity Series for JR Motorsports and other teams, including Obaika Racing. He also debuted in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in 2016, finishing thirteenth at Chicagoland Speedway with Contreras Motorsports.
NASCAR Xfinity Series Breakthrough (2021-2023)
Berry joined JR Motorsports for a 12-race schedule in the 2021 Xfinity Series season. He recorded his first Xfinity Series victory at Martinsville Speedway after passing Ty Gibbs for the lead with 28 laps remaining. This win placed him among an elite group of drivers to earn their maiden Xfinity victory at Martinsville.
In 2022, Berry moved to a full-time role in the No. 8 car. He scored wins at Dover and Charlotte to qualify for the playoffs. During the postseason, he won at Las Vegas to advance to the Championship 4 and ultimately finished fourth in final points standings.
Berry remained competitive throughout the 2023 season, qualifying for the playoffs despite a winless campaign. His consistency throughout the regular season secured his postseason berth before elimination at the Charlotte Roval race.
Wood Brothers Racing Era (2024-Present)
Berry joined Stewart-Haas Racing for the 2024 Cup Series season, replacing Kevin Harvick in the No. 4 car. He started the season with a 25th place finish at the Daytona 500 and notched season-best third place finishes at Darlington and New Hampshire. When Stewart-Haas Racing announced its closure at the end of 2024, Berry found a new home.
On July 3, 2024, Berry signed a multi-year contract with Wood Brothers Racing to drive the No. 21 car, beginning in 2025. The move placed him with one of NASCAR’s most historic teams, known for its longevity and success in the sport.
Driving Style and Strengths
Berry excels on short tracks and intermediate circuits, skills honed during his extensive late model career. His ability to manage tire wear and execute strategic moves has been evident throughout his NASCAR career. His background in diverse racing series has equipped him with adaptability across different track configurations.
Notable Races and Milestones
Berry scored his first career NASCAR Cup Series victory at Las Vegas in March 2025, passing Daniel Suarez for the win. This victory marked the first time since 1986-1987 that Wood Brothers Racing won in back-to-back seasons. His triumph was a significant milestone for both driver and organization.
Josh Berry Career Wins
Josh Berry has established himself as a winner across multiple levels of NASCAR competition. His career victories span the Xfinity Series, where he found particular success, and the Cup Series, where he broke through at the highest level.
NASCAR Xfinity Series Highlights
Berry earned three Xfinity Series victories during his tenure with JR Motorsports. His first win came at Martinsville in 2021, followed by triumphs at Dover and Charlotte in 2022. He also won the 2022 Xfinity Series playoff race at Las Vegas to secure his Championship 4 appearance.
NASCAR Cup Series Highlights
Berry captured his first Cup Series victory at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March 2025. The win came in his first season with Wood Brothers Racing and validated the team’s decision to bring him aboard as their full-time driver.
NASCAR All-Star Race Open
Berry won the NASCAR All-Star Race Open qualifying event in 2023, securing a transfer spot into the main All-Star Race. This performance showcased his ability to perform in high-pressure, non-points events against elite competition.
Josh Berry Family
Personal Life
Josh Berry is married to Ginny Berry. The couple has two daughters, Charlotte Blake Berry and Kenzie Berry. Berry has been able to balance his professional racing career with family life throughout his rise in NASCAR.
2025 Season Performance
Berry began the 2025 season with Wood Brothers Racing facing early challenges, including a 37th place DNF at the Daytona 500. He rebounded with a fourth place finish at Phoenix, marking the first top-five finish for Wood Brothers Racing at that track. The momentum continued the following week when Berry scored his first career Cup Series victory at Las Vegas.
The Las Vegas victory was a turning point for the No. 21 team and demonstrated Berry’s potential to compete at the front of the field. However, a difficult stretch followed with consecutive last place finishes at Darlington, St. Louis, and Bristol. These results hampered his playoff position, leading to elimination at the conclusion of the Round of 16.
Despite the playoff setback, Berry’s maiden Cup victory established him as a legitimate threat to win races with Wood Brothers Racing. The team has shown flashes of competitiveness and will look to build on this foundation for future seasons.
