Dale Earnhardt Jr. reacts to Josh Berry driving for Wood Brothers Racing in 2025

There’s been no bigger advocate for Josh Berry than Dale Earnhardt Jr., who initially hired him to race late models for JR Motorsports back in 2010 and then brought him to the team in 2020 to compete in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

And after Stewart-Haas Racing announced in late May it would be closing its doors after the 2024 Cup Series season, it was Earnhardt who continued to pound the table for Berry to get another opportunity in 2025. Fast forward to Wednesday, and Berry found that opportunity. Wood Brothers Racing announced that Berry will pilot the iconic No. 21 car next season.

Could Berry be the driver to carry WBR back to prominence? Earnhardt certainly believes so.

“I’m happy for Josh,” Earnhardt wrote on X. “It’s my belief he not only belongs in the field on Sunday, but can be a consistent winner. He’s a hard worker, a true racer, and should be a great fit for the Wood Bros.”

Can Josh Berry bring Wood Brothers Racing back to prominence?

Berry will have his work cut out for him at WBR, a single-car race team which has struggled to find speed with Harrison Burton behind the wheel and failed to remain competitive throughout much of the 21st 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.

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.

“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.”