Josh Berry faced early difficulties for the second week in a row during Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway, when his car collided with the outside wall after contact with Chase Elliott. This incident occurred during the Enjoy Illinois 300, threatening Berry’s continuation in the playoffs.
Details of the Collision and Its Impact on Berry’s Race
Berry was positioned 15th on lap 35 of the scheduled 240 laps when Elliott, driving the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, made contact with Berry’s No. 21 Ford from Wood Brothers Racing in Turn 1. The impact forced Berry’s car to scrape against the SAFER barrier, causing severe damage that forced him to retire early. Berry was evaluated and treated at the infield care center but was released without further injury. However, the team could not repair the car, ending his race prematurely and leaving him with two consecutive last-place finishes to open the playoffs.
How the Crash Happened Amid Mixed Racing Lines
Berry was caught in a three-wide battle, with Ford driver Joey Logano to his outside, when Elliott attempted an aggressive move on the low side entering Turn 1. Berry described the contact as unintentional.
“It looked like Chase just made a late move and got a little loose and was just enough to slide up into us,”
Berry explained, adding,
“I don’t think it was anything intentional by no means. Just an unfortunate scenario, I guess.”
Notably, Berry had subbed in for Elliott earlier this season when Elliott was sidelined with a snowboarding injury.
Playoff Challenges Following Consecutive Setbacks
This crash followed Berry’s first-lap incident last week at Darlington Raceway, where he also finished last in the 38-car field. That early setback placed Berry at the bottom of the Cup Series Playoffs standings, putting his championship hopes in serious jeopardy as the Round of 16 nears its conclusion. His fate will be determined in Saturday’s Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway, where the four lowest-ranked drivers in the playoffs will be eliminated from title contention.
Berry’s Determination as Playoff Pressure Mounts
Despite the setbacks, Berry remains focused on overcoming the situation. When asked about his chances of bouncing back, he stated, “We’ve got no choice.” He also said,
“It’s been a rough couple weeks, for sure, but I know these guys are working really hard and just gotta do the best you can next week.”
With the team’s efforts and his resilience, Berry aims to keep his playoff hopes alive despite the daunting circumstances.
