Wood Brothers Racing announces Josh Berry as new No. 21 driver for 2025

Wood Brothers Racing announced Wednesday that Josh Berry has signed with the race team and will pilot the iconic No. 21 Ford in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season.

Set for 2025.
 @JoshBerry to drive the No. 21 Ford Mustang beginning with the 2025 @NASCAR Cup Series season. pic.twitter.com/QJGuL4e3B1

— Wood Brothers Racing (@woodbrothers21) July 3, 2024

Berry, 33, replaced Kevin Harvick in the No. 4 Ford at Stewart-Haas Racing this season, but with SHR closing its doors, Berry will now make the jump to WBR. He replaces Harrison Burton, who posted middling results in the last three seasons with WBR. Rodney Childers, Berry’s current crew chief, isn’t expected to be following him to WBR. The team has yet to announce who will be atop Berry’s pit box.

“Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of working with a multitude of successful drivers, and now having the opportunity to add Josh Berry to that list is a significant milestone for our team,” WBR President Jon Wood said in a statement. “Josh brings a wealth of talent and determination, evident thorough his success in every level of competition, from grassroots NASCAR to present day. He fits the values of our team, and we believe that with Josh behind the wheel, we will achieve great things together on the track.”

WBR currently operates as a one-car team and shares a technical alliance with Team Penske. David Pearson brought success to the team in the 1970s, winning 43 races during his tenure in the No. 21 car. It’s been far from smooth sailing since. A host of drivers have come through since, but the team has fallen on hard times since the turn of the century. Since Elliott Sadler’s win in 2001, WBR has compiled just two victories. Its most recent victory came in 2017 when Ryan Blaney took the checkered flag at Pocono. WBR is still looking for its landmark 100th Cup Series win.

Josh Berry making the jump to Wood Brothers Racing in 2025

WBR is banking on Berry being the driver to stabilize the team and bring success back. Berry is 19 races through his first full-time season in the Cup Series. He has tallied four top 10s and two top 5s, finishing a season-high P3 at Darlington and New Hampshire. All of his top-10 finishes have come in his last seven starts.

Prior to joining SHR, Berry piloted the No. 8 Chevrolet for JR Motorsports in the Xfinity Series, winning three races and finishing fourth in the 2022 points standings.

“When you think of the history and legacy of NASCAR, it’s hard to not think of the Wood Brothers and the incredible impact they’ve made on the sport. It’s an honor and a privilege to be a small part of carrying on that legacy,” Berry said. “To be able to add my name to the list of drivers who have piloted the iconic No. 21 is something I don’t take lightly.”