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Josh Berry’s Emotional Tribute to Dale Jr. in First Cup Series Win: A New Celebration Tradition in Motorsports?

Carl Harrison by Carl Harrison
March 17, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Josh Berry’s Emotional Tribute to Dale Jr. in First Cup Series Win: A New Celebration Tradition in Motorsports?

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

In a dramatic turn of events, Josh Berry, the driver for Wood Brothers Racing, emerged as the surprise victor of the 2025 Pennzoil 400, defying all odds. This triumph marked the first Cup Series win of Berry’s career—an achievement that will no doubt be etched in his memory forever. “I’m truly honored to be part of this remarkable team. Their dedication and expertise in building top-tier racing cars has been a privilege to experience. I genuinely couldn’t be more grateful for this opportunity,” Berry gushed.

The customary celebratory antics of a jubilant first-time victor, such as a Carl Edwards-inspired ‘Backflip’ or a Kyle Busch-style ‘Bow’, were conspicuously absent from Berry’s victory lap. Given the magnitude of this achievement, a burnout at the 1.5-mile track—long a tradition in motorsport—was anticipated. However, the 34-year-old racer decided to break the mold.

Instead of indulging in the conventional fanfare, Berry chose to pay homage to his idols and stay true to his values. He replicated a celebration that had not been witnessed since the 2014 Daytona 500, opting for a more understated approach.

The Las Vegas Motor Speedway was witness to a historic event as Josh Berry clinched the checkered flag at ‘the Diamond of the Desert’. This marked the 101st victory for Wood Brothers Racing, NASCAR’s oldest team, and their first non-superspeedway win since Ryan Blaney’s unforgettable triumph at Pocono in 2017. When Berry crossed the start-finish line, the 34-year-old triggered an eruption of celebrations from the sidelines.

Echoing the sentiments of Dale Earnahardt Jr., Berry savored his win by driving slowly parallel to the wall, basking in the applauding fans. He then made his way to the No. 21 Ford crew, where he finally brought his car to a halt. Revealing his reasons for eschewing the traditional burnout, Berry said, “I wanted to immerse myself in the moment. I could have taken the usual route of a grand burnout, but I chose to relish this achievement. This moment of reflection on my win in the Cup Series is precious to me.”

The inspiration for this unique celebration, according to Berry, came from watching the 2014 Daytona 500. “When Dale (Junior) won, he went down to No. 1, took a loop around, dismounted, and waved at the fans. That left a lasting impression on me,” Berry admitted. This tribute to Dale Jr. was fitting, given that he was Berry’s former employer when he raced for JR Motorsports in the Xfinity Series during 2022 and 2023.

Berry was an unlikely victor at the Pennzoil 400, entering the race as a 40-1 underdog. His victory came as a shock, considering it was only his 53rd Cup Series start. Nonetheless, Berry’s success has guaranteed Wood Brothers Racing a spot in the playoffs for the second year in a row—a commendable achievement.

On a related note, while Josh Berry chose not to perform a burnout, it appears Christopher Bell had no option. Following his win at the Circuit of the Americas, NASCAR explicitly instructed the Joe Gibbs Racing driver to refrain from any post-race festivities to uphold the sport’s integrity. This decision came in the wake of an incident involving William Byron’s No. 24 Chevy colliding with a wall during a burnout, which led to speculation of an attempt to evade NASCAR’s technical scrutiny.

In the interest of preventing controversy, NASCAR officials informed the No. 20 Toyota team that burnouts would be prohibited on the road course, as confirmed by FOX Sports’ Bob Pockrass. Despite Byron’s clarification that his collision was merely due to clumsiness, rumors of foul play persisted.

Perhaps Berry, in choosing not to perform a burnout after his inaugural Cup Series victory, was exercising extra caution. After all, who would want to jeopardize their first Cup Series win for the sake of a traditional celebration? Though no directive was issued to the Wood Brothers Racing driver, Berry seemed to be following the adage ‘better safe than sorry’ in Las Vegas.

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