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Josh Berry’s Unexpected Triumph: Inside the NASCAR Underdog’s Historic Win at Pennzoil 400

Carl Harrison by Carl Harrison
March 17, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 2 mins read
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Josh Berry’s Unexpected Triumph: Inside the NASCAR Underdog’s Historic Win at Pennzoil 400

Mar 16, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Josh Berry (21) poses for photos following his victory of the Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

In a stunning turn of events, Josh Berry scored his first Cup Series victory at the Pennzoil 400, marking the 101st win for NASCAR’s most seasoned team, Wood Brothers Racing. The unexpected triumph came despite the looming possibility of Christopher Bell clinching his fourth consecutive win and Kyle Larson’s historic supremacy at the 1.5-mile oval.

The checkered flag was claimed by Berry’s No. 21 Ford, sparking jubilant scenes from his pit crew. The triumph, a testament to Berry’s dedication and hard work, was rightly celebrated by the Tennessee native in his post-race interview.

Five races into his career, Berry is living the NASCAR dream. At 34, he became the 20th driver to notch a win for Wood Brothers Racing after a fierce battle on the 1.5-mile track. On Lap 254, the former SHR driver locked horns with Daniel Suarez for the lead, ultimately taking it and establishing a 1.35-second lead. Berry’s monumental victory is a quintessential underdog story, given that few had even imagined the Tennessee-based racer to be a contender for the win.

In his post-race interview, a humble Berry paid homage to those who helped him along the way. He expressed profound gratitude towards his team and everyone at Team Penske, acknowledging their unwavering support in his journey.

With the so-called curse broken, Berry has every reason to be hopeful about the upcoming season. Having secured a playoff spot, he has emerged from a series of disappointing races and proven his mettle by avoiding crashes, ensuring clean pit stops, and executing daring passes. There’s no question that Team Penske’s technical alliance with Wood Brothers Racing played a pivotal role in his victory.

Despite only 53 Cup Series starts under his belt, Berry is already carving a niche for himself in the world of NASCAR. His journey, which began as a substitute at Spire Motorsports in 2021, has taken him through stints with Hendrick Motorsports and Legacy Motor Club, before landing him a full-time position with Stewart-Haas Racing. Despite the team folding at the end of the year, Berry has bounced back, kick-starting his career with Wood Brothers Racing in the best way possible.

Wood Brothers Racing has a storied history, filled with financial struggles, leadership changes, and inconsistent performances. Formed in 1950, the team has had its fair share of ups and downs. However, the last five drivers to win with the No. 21 car, including Berry, have all been first-time winners, adding another layer to the team’s rich legacy.

With this victory at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the No. 21 Ford team can breathe easy, their playoff spot guaranteed. While it may seem too early to talk about championships, the world of NASCAR has seen its fair share of surprises. Berry and his team will be hoping to emulate Martin Truex Jr. and Furniture Row Racing’s Cinderella story in 2017.

Wood Brothers Racing now looks forward to capitalizing on Berry’s victory and making a deep playoff run. As NASCAR history has shown, playoffs can be game-changers, and Berry and his team will be eyeing to ride that wave during the knockout stages.

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