Josh Berry is gearing up for his third full season in the NASCAR Cup Series, continuing his journey with the Wood Brothers Racing team. Following a milestone year where he secured his first Cup Series win and made the playoffs, Berry aims to build on that momentum in 2026 by emphasizing the value of continuity within the team. This approach is seen as key to elevating his performance and solidifying his place among stock-car racing’s top competitors.
Maintaining a Consistent Team to Boost Performance
One significant advantage Berry has going into the new season is the retention of nearly the entire road crew from the previous year. Apart from a change in hauler driver, the Wood Brothers team remains intact, preserving vital relationships and operational consistency. Key members like crew chief Samuel Miles Stanley and spotter Jason Jarrett, along with engineers and mechanics who supported Berry’s No. 21 Ford last season, are back in place. Although the pit crew line-up is yet to be finalized, Berry recognizes this stability as a source of increased confidence and efficiency.
The last couple of years in the Cup Series have been with two different organizations, and now going back to this and having the same group, the same crew chief, the same engineers, really the same everybody, so it just kind of builds more fluidity,
Berry said during a media teleconference. “It doesn’t feel like you’re starting over and learning each other as much. It’s made the offseason maybe go a little bit longer, maybe a little bit more refreshing because you’re not doing as much random things that you have to check off in the offseason.
This is really the first year since I’ve been in Cup or (O’Reilly) that I’ve really had the same group two years in a row. That made the offseason feel different since I’ve already been working with these guys and knowing them, and not establishing that communication, so I think that should be a positive. I feel like me and Miles (Stanley) have had a really good relationship, and now Miles is going into his second year as a crew chief as well, so I know he’s only gonna keep getting better, so I feel like we’re poised to have a really strong year.
Analysis of 2025 Season and Playoff Challenges
In 2025, Berry clinched a playoff spot early by winning the fifth race of the season at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The victory propelled the team into the postseason under the new Chase format, but a series of setbacks followed. Despite entering the playoffs with positive momentum from consecutive top 10 finishes, Berry’s campaign stalled after three last-place results during the Round of 16. This ultimately led to a 16th-place finish in the final standings.
Berry acknowledged that errors throughout the season, including mistakes during pit stops and speeding penalties, contributed to missed opportunities. He highlighted the need for enhanced decision-making as a crucial area for improvement to adapt to the revised playoff structure and maximize competitive potential.
We sat down early in the offseason and kind of broke it down and looked at each race. It’s a number of things,
Berry explained. “It’s issues on pit road. There were a couple of speeding penalties over the course of the year. Obviously, that stuff you have to clean up. The biggest thing is just looking at the decision-making towards getting to these races, maybe is the biggest thing. I think you’re better off to take a top 10 than maybe put yourself in a bad spot that could result in it, but honestly, the key to that is not something that I don’t think any of us really know.
There were a lot of positives in our performance last year. There were plenty of races where the finish didn’t indicate the type of day we had, so that’s been our focus, is looking through some of that stuff and trying to figure out what we could do better and put ourselves in better positions to get the finishes we deserve.
Outlook for Berry and Wood Brothers Racing in 2026
As Berry and the Wood Brothers team prepare for another season, their focus remains on refining their strengths and addressing weaknesses uncovered during the previous year. The emphasis on consistent teamwork and improved communication is expected to give them an edge as they navigate the competitive landscape of NASCAR’s premier series.
Berry’s experience with the team and his proven ability to win provide a foundation for optimism. With a stable crew chief in Samuel Miles Stanley entering his second year and the whole group’s familiarity growing, the 2026 season holds promise as an opportunity to challenge more effectively for wins and to advance further in the postseason.
