When Kevin Harvick announced his retirement last year, Stewart-Haas Racing announced that Josh Berry would taking over the driving duties of the number four car.
Earlier this year, Stewart-Haas Racing announced that they would be shutting down operations at the end of the 2024 season; leaving Berry, Chase Briscoe, Noah Gragson, and Ryan Preece without a ride next season.
Only July 3, Wood Brothers Racing announced that Josh Berry would be taking over the driving duties of the number 21 car next season.
Harrison Burton has spent the past three seasons driving the 21 car. In 91 starts he has only one top five finish and five top 10’s with no wins.
Wood Brothers president Jon Wood said, “I think Josh was the obvious choice.” Wood Brothers has been stuck on 99 career wins for over six years.
Josh Berry spoke on joining Wood Brothers saying, “this really feels like a great fit for me. I feel like I fit their brand and who they are and how I got here, how they got here. I feel like this is a great fit. I really enjoyed our relationship with Ford and to continue that on was something that’s important to me, and I appreciate and I’m thankful to have that opportunity. And it really just means a lot to drive an iconic car like the 21.”
While Wood Brothers is a single car team; they do have an affiliation with Team Penske; allowing Berry to use the resources of Team Penske drivers Austin Cindric, Ryan Blaney, and Joey Logano.
He added, “I have a great opportunity to come in here and help be a part of getting them back to running where they want to run and where they expect to run and I have the same expectations. I feel like that between everyone here at the Wood Brothers, between the affiliation with Team Penske and Ford, I think we have the pieces in place to be competitive. And I think where I’m at with the Next Gen car, I think we’ll be able to hit the ground running.”
Jon Wood spoke on the driver change saying, “we need to be better. There’s no secret. This is a business that’s based on chemistry, and it’s a sport that’s based on results, and right now, we’re just not having those results. You know, Harrison shares some responsibility. If it’s on us — we’re not pointing fingers. We’re not here to say this one’s at fault; that one’s at fault. We’re just not where we need to be, and so finding that right chemistry and balance to have those results and performance, that’s what we’re looking for.”
Josh Berry is the latest driver in the 2024 NASCAR Silly Season. So far this year has seen retirements, shutdowns, and driver changes.
Front Row Motorsports has announce that they will be expanding to three teams next season but will need to find two drivers after Michael McDowell announced that he will be moving to Spire Motorsports. Todd Gilliland has signed a contract to remain at FRM.
Stewart-Haas Racing has announced that they will be ceasing operations at the end of the 2024 season. However, co-owner Gene Haas has announced that he will be fielding a single car Cup Series team and two Xfinity Series teams next season.
Marting Truex Jr has announced his retirement from full time Cup Series racing at the end of the season. This past week Joe Gibbs Racing announced that Chase Briscoe will be taking over the driving duties of the number 19 car next season. Briscoe is one of the four SHR drivers who will be out of a ride at the end of the season.