Berry’s Promising Season: A Double-Edged Sword for Wood Brothers Racing
Kansas Speedway, October 2023 – Josh Berry of Wood Brothers Racing is navigating a rollercoaster season in the NASCAR Cup Series, marked by both triumph and disappointment. After clinching his first victory of the season at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March, expectations soared. However, Berry has struggled to capitalize on that momentum, failing to secure a top-10 finish in the races that followed.
Despite leading laps in six of the first eleven races, an array of setbacks—including an electrical issue at Martinsville, a crash at Darlington, and a speeding penalty at Talladega—has plagued his performance. Most recently, Berry’s promising run at Texas Motor Speedway ended prematurely after a crash while leading the race.
“It’s been really exciting, honestly,” Berry reflected ahead of the upcoming race at Kansas Speedway. “It’s just built up everybody’s confidence… If anything, I feel more motivated and more excited waking up every day than I ever have.”
Berry, who transitioned to Wood Brothers Racing from Stewart-Haas Racing last season, has been instrumental in reviving the team’s fortunes. Under the leadership of crew chief Miles Stanley—formerly of Team Penske—the team has recorded more laps led than in the past seven years.
Berry’s career statistics are on an upward trajectory; he has already matched his top-five finishes from the previous season and is on pace to surpass his total top-10 finishes.
“Getting to know Miles and working with him just legitimizes all that work that you put in,” Berry added. “I’ve learned and feel like I have a good understanding of the Next Gen car and how it wants to be driven.”
As Berry continues to gather experience and boost his performance, the pressure to convert speed into results intensifies. With heightened expectations for both himself and Wood Brothers Racing, the upcoming races will be crucial in defining his season. Consistency at the front of the pack will be key to transforming potential into results as the 2023 season progresses.
