Josh Berry has become the latest Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) driver to land a new ride for 2025.
With SHR closing it’s door and transitioning to a one team outfit under the name Haas Factory Team, the current group of drivers have been free to look for new seats for 2025.
Chase Briscoe landed with Joe Gibbs Racing taking over for Martin Truex Jr. in the No. 19 after he retires following the completion of this season.
Now Berry, 33, has landed the seat of the No. 21 Ford Mustang of Wood Brothers Racing.
“This 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 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.”
The team had been expected to move on from Harrison Burton after two unsuccessful seasons with the team in the Cup Series.
“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,” Berry said, “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.”
Wood Brothers Racing will continue to receive support from Team Penske.
“I think Josh was the obvious choice,” team president Jon Wood said.
“The steps with Chase, that was — I’m not gonna call it a formality, but we had to we had to talk to Chase because of our relationship and Ford’s relationship with Chase,” Wood said. “It was very clear from the beginning that he already had either an offer or a deal in place, so we just completed those steps, checked all those boxes. And as soon as we knew that we were ready to move on to the next driver, Josh was the obvious choice.”
“We need to be better. There’s no secret,” Wood said. “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.”
