The 2025 Bass Pro Shops Night Race in Bristol delivered dramatic moments as Christopher Bell secured a flawless victory for Joe Gibbs Racing in the Playoff Round of 16. A key incident overshadowing the event was the alarming fire that erupted on Josh Berry’s car, abruptly ending his playoff hopes. This unexpected fire significantly impacted Berry‘s chance to advance, marking a pivotal moment in the race.
Josh Berry’s Struggle With Flames During the Bristol Race
Josh Berry arrived at Bristol needing nothing less than a win to move forward in the playoffs, being 45 points below the cutoff line. His performance however was cut short when his car caught fire early in the night, preventing him from making it beyond Stage 1. The fire started underneath the No. 21 car, forcing Berry to race back to the pit stall amid worsening conditions.
The situation became tense as smoke began filling the cockpit, creating a frightening environment for Berry. Speaking with Frontstretch after the race, he recounted his experience, explaining that the smoke inside his car was noticeable several laps before the fire became visible to others.
Maybe seven or eight laps before we come on pit road, we started getting some smoke in the cockpit. And then the longer I went, the darker the smoke got, and then obviously by the time we got on pit road, it was completely black smoke. So yeah, obviously something caught on fire. The car just burned up.
—Josh Berry, WBR driver
There were claims that Berry’s firesuit began smoking as he exited the vehicle, but Berry firmly refuted these reports. Despite this, the smoke severely affected him, causing uncontrollable coughing from inhalation. Berry maintained that the fire itself never entered the car’s interior, but the thick smoke overwhelmed him enough to stop his race.
Aftermath of the Fire and Its Impact on the Playoffs
The fiery incident not only eliminated Berry from contention but also disrupted the dynamics of the race. With one fewer competitor, teams faced escalating tire wear issues, forcing many to abandon planned strategies as they scrambled to cope with the conditions. This added complexity shaped the remaining competition significantly.
Ultimately, Christopher Bell’s victory marked a clean sweep for Joe Gibbs Racing during the playoff round. Other drivers such as Shane van Gisbergen, Alex Bowman, and Austin Dillon also faced elimination alongside Berry. The Bristol fire incident stands out as a critical, heartbreaking moment that prematurely ended Berry’s season, despite his belief that he had a fast car capable of an impressive run.
Berry expressed his disappointment at not being able to continue, acknowledging the race would be difficult to watch from the sidelines as he became the first playoff driver eliminated in the 2025 season. This event highlights the unpredictable nature of the sport, where a sudden mechanical failure and fire can dash playoff dreams instantly.
