Josh Berry is racing for his future, and admits he was ‘rougher than normal’

Josh Berry has been putting together an impressive run in the No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford, matching pace with his teammates and maintaining close alignment with the Penske team.

However, for Berry, this success extends beyond simply finishing his 2026 campaign on solid ground. At 35 years old, he is actively pursuing his career path ahead of plans to leave the team after 2027, when Wood Brothers intends to install Jesse Love as his replacement.

Berry remains uncertain about his destination next season, though his recent surge in form may position him favorably with NASCAR ownership. He is also intentionally adopting a more aggressive driving approach, understandable given the competitive environment.

“It’s like I’ve said the past few weeks—I’m not doing anything different,” Berry explained to Motorsport.com regarding proof of his ability to belong. “I mean, perhaps I was a little rougher today than usual.”

“I don’t— I don’t particularly enjoy pushing the car like that. But I realize these competitors are highly competent right now. Most have tremendous respect for my skill level. So they understand that attacking every rival without restraint isn’t sustainable throughout an entire Cup season. Yet, in this particular scenario, it becomes about fighting for every available opportunity.”

Josh Berry, Wood Brothers Racing

Photo by: David Jensen / Getty Images

At one key moment, Berry matched Wallace in the struggle for outright lead as both drivers vied for supremacy through the closing phase of pit stops, briefly overtaking with a competitive battle before each regained control prior to the final round of pit operations. Berry commanded the lead for 73 laps at New Hampshire—a record high average duration at any single Cup race in his career—and holds the series’ latest victory mark.

“As I mentioned, I am not altering my preparation, nor am I changing how I study. I continue doing exactly what I have always done. And we have simply benefited from superior vehicles and, admittedly, improved luck. It feels good to make the most of those circumstances. I have recorded four consecutive top-ten finishes—a milestone shared only with Morgan Shepherd in 1994—which I should proudly list among resumes for my current job search.”

Berry entered New Hampshire starting second and ultimately finished third, following an eighth-place result at Richmond, fourth in Iowa, and a seventh place at the Brickyard 400.

Additionally, Berry stands as the first Wood Brothers Racing driver to achieve four straight top-ten finishes within a single season since Morgan Shepherd accomplished this feat back in 1994—thirty-two years prior. This achievement sets a benchmark for his postseason candidacy.

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Watch: Josh Berry on Final Charge to P3: “That Was Everything I Had”

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