Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Josh Berry

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 31, 2025

How Josh Berry built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Josh Berry is an American professional stock car racing driver currently competing full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series for Wood Brothers Racing. He drives the No. 21 Ford Mustang Dark Horse. Berry rose to prominence through his success in Late Model Stock Cars with JR Motorsports from 2010 to 2023. During this time, he distinguished himself by becoming the all-time winningest driver in the CARS Tour.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1982: Sam Ard's Martinsville Win

In 1982, Sam Ard won his maiden race in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Martinsville.

1985: Brett Bodine's Martinsville Win

In 1985, Brett Bodine won his maiden race in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Martinsville.

1986: Wood Brothers Win with Kyle Petty

In 1986, Wood Brothers Racing won with Kyle Petty.

1987: Brad Teague's Martinsville Win

In 1987, Brad Teague won his maiden race in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Martinsville.

1987: Wood Brothers Win with Kyle Petty

In 1987, Wood Brothers Racing won with Kyle Petty.

1990: Jeff Burton's Martinsville Win

In 1990, Jeff Burton won his maiden race in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Martinsville.

2010: Signed with JR Motorsports

In 2010, Dale Earnhardt Jr. signed Josh Berry to his JR Motorsports team to compete in late model racing.

2015: Xfinity Series Race at Richmond International Raceway

In 2015, Josh Berry returned to JR Motorsports for one race in the Xfinity Series and finished seventh at Richmond International Raceway.

2016: Multiple Races in Xfinity and Truck Series

In 2016, Josh Berry participated in multiple races, including an Xfinity Series race at Iowa where he finished ninth for JR Motorsports, and he debuted in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, driving the No. 71 Contreras Motorsports truck to a 13th-place finish at Chicagoland Speedway.

2016: Return to Truck Series

In March 2016, Josh Berry returned to the Truck Series for the first time since 2016, substituting for Kris Wright in the No. 02 for Young's Motorsports after Wright tested positive for COVID-19.

2017: Xfinity Series Start at Kansas

In 2017, Josh Berry made his first Xfinity Series start of the season at Kansas, driving the No. 55 Toyota for NextGen Motorsports. He finished 34th after an engine failure.

2018: ARCA Racing Series Debut

In April 2018, Josh Berry debuted in the ARCA Racing Series, driving for Chad Bryant Racing in their No. 22 Ford at Salem Speedway, finishing 4th.

2019: NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Start

In September 2019, Josh Berry drove for Visconti Motorsports and finished 3rd in their No. 74 car in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race at New Hampshire, marking his first start in that series.

October 22, 2020: JR Motorsports Announcement

On October 22, 2020, JR Motorsports announced that Josh Berry would drive its No. 8 car for 12 races in the 2021 NASCAR Xfinity Series season.

August 31, 2022: Crew Chief for Dale Earnhardt Jr.

On August 31, 2022, Josh Berry served as the crew chief for Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the CARS Tour Window World 125 late model race at North Wilkesboro Speedway.

2022: Playoff run

In 2022, Josh Berry began the season with a 16th place finish at Daytona. He scored wins at Dover and Charlotte to make the playoffs. During the playoffs, Berry won at Las Vegas to make the Championship 4 and ultimately finished fourth in the final points standings.

2022: Full-Time Ride with JR Motorsports and Cup Series Fill-In

In 2022, Josh Berry was confirmed to drive the No. 8 for JR Motorsports full-time and filled in for Corey LaJoie at Michigan in the Cup Series due to COVID-19 protocols. Later, he took over as replacement for Annett at Bristol and Las Vegas, winning the latter.

May 17, 2023: Crew Chief for Dale Earnhardt Jr.

On May 17, 2023, Josh Berry served as the crew chief for Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the CARS Tour race at North Wilkesboro Speedway.

June 21, 2023: Signed with Stewart-Haas Racing

On June 21, 2023, Stewart–Haas Racing signed Josh Berry as Kevin Harvick's replacement in the No. 4 for the 2024 season.

2023: Playoff Appearance and Elimination

During the 2023 season, Josh Berry drove winless but stayed consistent enough to make the playoffs. He was eliminated at the conclusion of the Charlotte Roval race.

2023: Substitute Driver Roles and Career Best Finish

In 2023, Josh Berry filled in for Chase Elliott in the Hendrick Motorsports No. 9 at Las Vegas due to Elliott's injury and later for Alex Bowman in the No. 48 due to Bowman's injury. He achieved a career-best second-place finish at Richmond and competed in the NASCAR All-Star Race.

July 3, 2024: Signed with Wood Brothers Racing

On July 3, 2024, Josh Berry signed a multi-year deal with Wood Brothers Racing to drive the No. 21 car, replacing Harrison Burton.

2024: Season-Best Third-Place Finishes

In 2024, Josh Berry started the season with a 25th place finish at the Daytona 500. He scored a season-best third-place finish at Darlington and New Hampshire.

2025: First Career Cup Series Win

In 2025, Josh Berry started the season with a 37th place DNF at the Daytona 500. About a month later, with a 4th place finish, it was the first time that the Wood Brothers finished inside the top 5 at Phoenix. The next week, Berry scored his first career Cup Series win at Las Vegas.