Josh Berry will compete this Sunday at Phoenix Raceway as part of the NASCAR Cup Series’ Straight Talk Wireless 500. Known as one of his strongest venues, Phoenix offers Berry an opportunity to leverage his past successes while driving the No. 21 Ford Mustang Dark Horse, featuring a fresh design for the upcoming 2026 season.
Strong Past Performances Boost Confidence at Phoenix
Last year, Berry demonstrated impressive pace on the one-mile, relatively flat oval located in the Sonoran Desert, securing fourth place in the spring event and seventh in the season finale. Over five Cup Series starts at Phoenix, Berry holds an average finish of 14.2, including three top-10 finishes. His debut at the track in 2023 resulted in a 10th-place finish, highlighting his consistency.
Berry Cites Track Position and Execution as Keys to Success
Phoenix has been a good track for me,
Berry said.
“We’ve had some solid runs there, including two top-10 finishes last season, so that definitely gives us confidence going back.”
He emphasized the importance of starting strong and maintaining positioning during the race:
It’s a place where track position and execution really matter. If we can qualify well and keep ourselves in position, I think we can put ourselves in position for another strong day.
Schedule for Straight Talk Wireless 500 Weekend
Practice runs are scheduled for Saturday at 12 p.m. ET, followed by qualifying at 1:10 p.m. ET, both available for viewing on Prime Video. The main event, a 312-mile race, will begin shortly after 3:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, with live broadcast coverage on FS1. Race strategy will be influenced by stage breaks planned for Lap 60 and Lap 185.
Outlook for Berry and Wood Brothers Racing at Phoenix
With his proven track record at Phoenix Raceway and a well-prepared team, Josh Berry approaches Sunday’s race with optimism. His ability to execute qualifying and maintain ideal positioning could lead to another strong finish in the NASCAR Cup Series. As the season progresses, performances at key tracks like Phoenix will be critical for Berry and Wood Brothers Racing’s overall success.
