Josh Berry thinks back on difficult road to a full-time NASCAR career

The biggest free agent decision of the year is decided as Josh Berry and Stewart-Haas Racing have officially come together. Now, Berry is able to look back a bit on his journey to his full-time ride in the NASCAR Cup Series. It definitely wasn’t an easy path.

When Josh Berry was driving late models at his local track, he didn’t think he would see a NASCAR ride. Dale Earnhardt Jr. took notice of this bank teller from Tennessee and gave him a chance.

Dale Jr. thought Berry’s break would come in 2015 after a strong race at Richmond, but it wouldn’t come until 2022.

“That race at Richmond [2015] sticks out to me pretty well in my career,” Berry said in an extensive interview with Bob Pockrass of Fox Sports. “We ran really well that night and there was a lot of Cup drivers in the field — it was a really tough field. We finished seventh but really should have finished better than we did that night, and we sat in the media center after the race and talked about my situation. I remember people in there didn’t even know who I was, what I raced and didn’t know anything about me at all. It was such an interesting time.

“In the years after that, we were never really able to put anything together. Up to three years ago, … I’m short-track racing all around the Carolinas, Virginia and we ultimately end up going for a weekly series national championship. That Josh Berry three years ago had fully accepted that he was going to be a career short-track racer, and I was going to try to be the best one that I could at that moment and never could have dreamed any of this.”

Now, Josh Berry is living the dream.

Josh Berry brings experience, not family name and money to SHR

In NASCAR, nepotism can run rampant. Gone are the days of shade tree mechanics finding themselves winning races, moving up, and earning rides in the NASCAR national series. However, Josh Berry breaks the mold of money and name recognition. He’s a short-track racer that lives for the sport.

There is a big reason why Berry was chosen to replace Kevin Harvick, even if he’s turning 33 later this year. Tony Stewart made it loud and clear.

“I’m not interested in some kid’s father coming in and buying their way into a Cup Series ride. I have zero interest in that,” Stewart said on Wednesday at the announcement.

What Josh Berry brings to Stewart-Haas Racing is a passion and talent for racing. He has honed his skills the old-school way. When he pulled up to the NASCAR scene, no one knew who he was. Now, he’s the successor to The Closer. He has a golden opportunity to become a legend in his own right.