By Cameron Bebeau, Staff Writer
Josh Berry will not return to Wood Brothers Racing’s No. 21 Ford in 2027, opening one of NASCAR’s most historic rides after a two-year run with the organization.
The news comes as Berry prepares to make his 100th career NASCAR Cup Series start this weekend at Pocono Raceway. During a Ford Racing media teleconference, Berry reflected on the milestone while also addressing the uncertainty surrounding his future.
Berry shared that he would not be driving the No. 21 next season, ending a stint that included his first Cup Series victory.
“It’s been an amazing ride,” Berry said. “There have been some ups and downs, but it’s been a lot of fun and been some great opportunities over the years.”
While Berry acknowledged his disappointment, he also expressed gratitude for the opportunity he received with the Wood Brothers.
“They’ve been amazing to work with,” Berry said. “They’re amazing people and it’s been such a great opportunity.”
The news comes less than a year and a half after Berry delivered Wood Brothers Racing its 101st NASCAR Cup Series victory, winning at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in just his fifth start with the organization.
The 2026 season, however, has been much more difficult for Berry and the No. 21 team. Following the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway, Berry sits 30th in the Cup Series standings with two top-10 finishes and four DNFs through 15 races.
Despite that difficult stretch, Berry pointed to his Las Vegas win and near-win at New Hampshire as evidence of what he still believes he can do.
“I still feel like I’m the same guy that won Las Vegas,” Berry said. “I’m still the same guy that nearly won at New Hampshire in the playoffs.”
Berry was also direct about the role the team’s performance may have played in the decision.
“If we had run better, we probably wouldn’t be having this conversation,” Berry said. “But we didn’t, so now we’ve got an x-number of races throughout the rest of the year to turn that back around and change the narrative and get back closer to the front.”
With Berry’s future now uncertain, attention turns to where the Wood Brothers may look next. The No. 21 seat is one of the most recognizable rides in NASCAR, and its connections to Team Penske and Ford make the vacancy one of the more notable pieces of the 2027 driver market.
A potential scenario being discussed involves Berry landing at Front Row Motorsports in the No. 4 Ford, with current FRM driver Noah Gragson potentially moving to Richard Childress Racing to drive the team’s second car. That possibility has been discussed as part of the larger silly season picture, though neither have been announced.
For Berry, the immediate focus remains on finding his next opportunity while finishing out his tenure with the Wood Brothers.
“You never know what doors might open up,” Berry said. “We’re gonna work hard to try and land on our feet and find something.”
Around him, the 2027 driver market is already beginning to take shape, with Corey Heim officially set to move into 23XI Racing’s third team and Riley Herbst viewed as a potential piece of Legacy Motor Club’s third-car expansion team.
Berry’s exit from the No. 21 adds another major opening to that picture, signaling that NASCAR’s silly season is not approaching – It is already underway.