Josh Berry’s journey from short-track racing to a NASCAR Cup Series winner has been anything but conventional. After years of racing as a journeyman, Berry’s career shifted when NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. gave him a chance at JR Motorsports. Berry seized the opportunity, winning five Xfinity Series races. That success led to a full-time Cup Series ride with Stewart-Haas Racing last year. However, after SHR closed its doors, Berry became a free agent and quickly joined Wood Brothers Racing.
In just his fifth race driving the iconic No. 21 car, Berry secured his first Cup Series victory at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. His win marked the first for a Ford team this season, following victories by Chevrolet’s William Byron at Daytona and Toyota’s Christopher Bell, who won the next three races. Berry took the lead after a restart with 19 laps remaining, overtaking Daniel Suarez and holding on until the checkered flag.
While Harrison Burton’s win at Daytona last summer was the team’s most recent victory, Berry’s triumph was the first for the Wood Brothers on a non-superspeedway since Ryan Blaney’s 2017 win at Pocono. Team president Jon Wood emphasized the legitimacy of Berry’s win, saying, “This one was legit,” highlighting how Berry dominated the closing laps.
The victory was the 101st in the Wood Brothers’ 75th season in NASCAR, making Berry the 20th driver to win for the organization. Reflecting on the moment, Berry expressed his gratitude, saying, “Everybody with Wood Brothers Racing gave me a great car, and we just battled and battled. It was our day.”
Daniel Suarez, driving a Chevrolet for Trackhouse Racing, finished second and praised Berry’s performance. Ryan Preece finished third in a Ford for RFK Racing, followed by William Byron, Ross Chastain, and Austin Cindric. Hendrick Motorsports drivers Alex Bowman, Kyle Larson, and Chase Elliott also placed in the top 10, making it seven Chevrolets in the leading group.
Christopher Bell, who had won the previous three races, faced setbacks when his Joe Gibbs Racing team changed his throttle body, forcing him to start from the back. Bell finished 12th, ending his pursuit of a fourth straight victory. Meanwhile, Denny Hamlin, fresh from winning over $200,000 in Las Vegas casinos, struggled on the track and finished 25th.
