NASCAR’s return to Bowman Gray Stadium has already given fans everything they hoped for—chaos, carnage, and cutthroat competition. But among the wreckage and tempers flaring, one driver clawed his way into the Cook Out Clash against all odds—Josh Berry.
Making his debut for Wood Brothers Racing, Berry fought through a brutal 75-lap Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ), proving he belongs on NASCAR’s biggest stage. The 34-year-old Tennessee native didn’t just survive The Madhouse—he thrived in it.
A Masterclass in Survival at NASCAR’s Most Unforgiving Track
Bowman Gray isn’t a racetrack. It’s a coliseum. A demolition derby disguised as a short track, where survival matters as much as speed. Berry knew that coming in, and he raced like a man unwilling to take ‘no’ for an answer.
Starting deep in the pack, Berry capitalized on chaos. When Erik Jones spun late, he was right there to pounce. As Austin Dillon made his own desperate push, Berry slammed the door shut, holding him off to secure a Clash starting spot.
The No. 21 Ford didn’t just sneak into the main event—it bullied its way in.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Takes Notice: “Be the Bug or the Windshield”
If there’s one person who understands what it takes to survive Bowman Gray, it’s Dale Earnhardt Jr.. And when he saw Berry’s relentless drive, he made sure the world knew it.
“Heck ya. @joshberry got the chrome horn out. The Madhouse demands it. Be the bug or the windshield.”
Translation? There’s no room for the timid at Bowman Gray. You either take control of the race, or you get flattened.
Berry took that lesson to heart, showing the kind of aggression and adaptability that could make him a breakout NASCAR star.
Reckless or Rising Star? NASCAR’s Debate Begins
But is Berry’s all-out style a sign of a future star—or just another short-track bruiser who won’t last?
The Tennessee native has spent years proving he can race with the best, with a long history at JR Motorsports that includes a fourth-place finish in the 2022 Xfinity Series standings. Now, with Wood Brothers Racing, he’s in a position to write his next chapter on NASCAR’s biggest stage.
The No. 21 Ford is legendary at Bowman Gray—team patriarch Glenn Wood won 29 times at the quarter-mile bullring. Berry has a shot to add to that legacy, but starting 22nd in the Clash, he’ll have to fight his way to the front—again.
Can Berry Make a Statement in the Clash?
One thing is clear: Josh Berry won’t back down from a fight. His aggressive style has already turned heads, and now he has one more shot to prove he belongs among NASCAR’s elite.
With Bowman Gray’s history of drama, destruction, and dominance, the Cook Out Clash could be Berry’s chance to make an early-season statement.
So, will he rise as a NASCAR star or simply be another driver chewed up by The Madhouse?
We’re about to find out.
