For the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, Josh Berry of Wood Brothers Racing will begin with a rare advantage in his career: his crew chief from the previous year, Samuel Stanley, will be back at the helm. This continuity marks Berry’s first experience entering a new season without having to adjust to a new crew chief, which he believes will provide stability and a smoother start.
The reunion with Stanley has made Berry’s off-season more relaxed and structured compared to previous years.
Berry Describes Familiarity within the Team as a Catalyst for Better Preparation
Berry highlighted how his multiple team changes over recent seasons disrupted consistency.
“The last couple of years in the Cup Series I have been with two different organizations,”
Berry said, reflecting on his move from Stewart-Haas Racing in 2024 to Wood Brothers in 2025.
He added,
“Now, going back to this (Wood Brothers) and having the same group, same crew chief, same engineers, really, same everybody, it just kind of feels more fluid. It doesn’t feel like you’re starting over and learning each other as much. It’s made the off-season feel a little bit longer… because you’re just not doing as much random kind of things that you’ve got to check off.”
Reviewing Past Performance and Identifying Areas for Improvement
During Stanley’s initial year as crew chief, Berry’s first season with the Wood Brothers was highlighted by the team’s 101st victory and Berry’s maiden NASCAR Cup win at Las Vegas. The pair collectively achieved three top-five finishes and eight in the top ten for the season. Despite these achievements, both acknowledge the need for better consistency and results moving forward.
Berry outlined their early off-season evaluation process:
“We sat down early in the off-season and kind of broke it down, looked at each race,”
he said.
“It’s a number of things (where improvement is needed). It’s issues on pit road… mechanical problems. I think the biggest thing is just looking at the decision making… towards the end of these races, trying to make sure we get the finishes that we deserve.”
Anticipating the Impact of NASCAR’s New Engine Package
The 2026 season brings a significant technical change, as NASCAR introduces an updated engine package for tracks shorter than 1.5 miles and road courses. This new package increases engine horsepower from 670 to 750, incorporates a three-inch rear spoiler, and adjusts the diffuser strakes. These modifications are set to debut at the Cook Out Clash on February 1 at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Berry expressed optimism about the changes complementing his short-track expertise, stating,
“That was probably our strongest last year,”
and adding,
“We’re on board with the power change. I think it’ll be interesting to see how the horsepower package changes things.”
Preparing for the Upcoming Cook Out Clash Amid Chilly Weather
Practice sessions and heat races for the Cook Out Clash are slated to begin at 6:10 p.m. ET on Saturday, despite forecasts predicting snow and temperatures ranging from lows of 15 degrees to highs near 22. The main event, a non-points race, is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, with conditions expected to be cold but without snow, as temperatures hover between 14 and 30 degrees.
Deb Williams’ Extensive Experience in Motorsports Journalism
Deb Williams, a North Carolina native and respected motorsports journalist, has been covering auto racing for nearly 40 years. Her reporting extends across prestigious outlets including United Press International, espnW.com, USA Today, and The Charlotte Observer. Williams’ career is decorated with numerous honors, including the American Motorsports Media Award of Excellence and multiple National Motorsports Press Association writer of the year accolades.
She has held editorial roles such as managing editor of GT Motorsports magazine and editor of Winston Cup Scene, where she served for ten years. In 2024, Williams was inducted into the National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame, a testament to her significant contributions to the sport’s media coverage.
