By Sarah Handy, Staff Writer
It came as quite a surprise announcement on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio on Thursday. JR Motorsports team owner Dale Earnhardt Jr announced that Josh Berry will drive for the team in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2021.
Berry is slated to drive the No. 8 Chevrolet in what now stands at approximately 12 races in the first half of the season. Sam Mayer will run the second half of the season after he turns 18.
Via his Twitter account, Dale Earnhardt Jr said, “I’m excited to see Josh and Sam Mayer wheel that car together next year. 2021 is going to be fun at JR Motorsports.”
The news comes following Berry’s extremely successful late model season for JR Motorsports that included 26 victories, 36 top-five and 38 top-10 finishes.
Berry a Hendersonville, TN native is a 10-year veteran of JR Motorsport’s late model program. He also is not new to making starts in the Xfinity Series. Between 2014 and 2017, he made seven total starts, five of those with JRM. The 29-year old has a best finish of seventh at Richmond Raceway in 2015 piloting the No. 88 Chevrolet.
What a day. I can’t believe it. I am so excited and so thankful. You never know what’s ahead every day when you get up. Never give up! https://t.co/mQpgsqTcCb
— Josh Berry (@joshberry) October 22, 2020
Photo Credit: Brett Moist / NKP