NASCAR Cup Series driver and Hendersonville native Josh Berry will join Wood Brothers Racing next year, the team announced Wednesday.
Berry, who is a 33-year-old Cup series rookie this season, will drive the No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford on a multi-year deal beginning in 2025.
Berry drives the No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford, replacing retired driver Kevin Harvick. But SHR announced in May that it is ceasing operation after the 2024 season.
“(Wood Brothers) really feels like a great fit for me,” Berry said. “I feel like I fit their brand and who they are and how I got here, how they got here. 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.”
Berry finished 26th last week at the Ally 400 at Nashville Superspeedway and is 20th in the Cup standings. He trails Alex Bowman by 131 points for the 16th and final playoff spot, and there are seven races left before the postseason begins, including this weekend in Chicago.
Berry will replace Harrison Burton, who has driven the No. 21 Ford since 2022 and is 33rd in the Cup standings.
More: What Josh Berry said about his uncertain future before NASCAR race at home in Nashville
The Wood Brothers team is affiliated with Team Penske, which includes two-time Cup champion Joey Logano, defending series champion Ryan Blaney and 2022 Daytona 500 winner Austin Cindric.
“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,” Berry told NASCAR.com. “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.”
NASCAR’s oldest active team’s all-time drivers include David Pearson, Cale Yarborough and AJ Foyt.
Reach sports writer Tyler Palmateer at tpalmateer@tennessean.com and on the X platform, formerly Twitter, @tpalmateer83.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Josh Berry joining Wood Brothers Racing in 2025 NASCAR season
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