On Wednesday, Josh Berry unexpectedly revealed one of the dominoes of the 2027 NASCAR Cup Series Silly Season had fallen. The driver, who has competed for the Wood Brothers Racing team in each of the last two seasons, confirmed during a media Zoom teleconference that he won’t return to the organization as the driver of the No. 21 Ford Mustang Dark Horse next season.
When asked about whether he would return to the team in 2027, Berry gave something very rare in this industry during silly season; he gave an honest answer.
“Just to go ahead and put it out there, that I will not be back in the 21 car next year,” Berry said. “You know, obviously, disappointed in that. They’ve been amazing to work with, amazing people. And it’s been such a great opportunity.”
Berry continued, “It’s about trying to put the pieces together and see what’s out there. You never know what kind of opportunities come about and where it goes from here. You know, it’s tough to have happen. But at the same time, I’ve been extremely fortunate to get the opportunities that I’ve had, and been extremely fortunate to drive for the Wood Brothers and this team. Unfortunately, it’s going in a different direction, but you never know what doors might open up. We’re going to work hard to land on our feet and find something.”
Berry, who will make his 100th career NASCAR Cup Series start this weekend at Pocono Raceway, scored his first career victory driving for the Wood Brothers last season at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and nearly won another race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway during the Playoffs that year.
This year, Berry has suffered through a tough stretch and finds himself 30th in the championship standings after the opening 15 races of the season.
While it’s been a tough year, Berry says he feels that he’s still the driver that had the excellent results in his first season with the Wood Brothers Racing team. He’ll just have to see if he can land an opportunity that will allow him to showcase that again.
“I mean, I still feel like I’m the same guy who won Las Vegas. I’m still the same guy that you know nearly won at New Hampshire in the Playoffs,” Berry explained. “It’s just been a tough year, like I said, but we’ll work through it. Try to find out what’s out there.”
After Berry dropped the news that he wouldn’t return to the Wood Brothers Racing team in 2027, the team issued a statement, where it confirmed that Berry’s option for the 2027 season would not be exercised, along with thanks to Berry for his time with the team.
“Wood Brothers Racing, the longest-running active team competing in NASCAR, confirmed today that it will not exercise its option with driver Josh Berry for the 2027 NASCAR Cup Series season. Currently in his second year with the team, Berry will continue to race the No. 21 Ford Mustang Dark Horse through the balance of the 2026 season. Wood Brothers Racing will announce the new driver of the No. 21 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for the 2027 Cup Series season in the near future.
“We thank Josh Berry for all he’s done for Wood Brothers Racing and our partners over the last two seasons. Josh has been a great teammate, and we look forward to a strong finish to this season. We wish Josh all the best moving forward. We will announce who will be driving the No. 21 Ford Mustang Dark Horse in 2027 soon, and we are excited for what lies ahead for Wood Brothers Racing.”
The Wood Brothers Racing team is one of the most storied organizations in NASCAR Cup Series history, as the team has 101 NASCAR Cup Series wins on its statsheet.
