When the NASCAR Cup Series heads to Darlington Raceway for NASCAR’s annual Throwback Weekend, Josh Berry and Wood Brothers Racing will be doing something unique.
Instead of paying tribute to a moment in the organization’s 75-year NASCAR Cup Series history, the legendary team will be honoring a moment that took place outside of NASCAR.
On Sunday, April 6, Josh Berry will take the green flag in the Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway, piloting a green-and-yellow No. 21 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Wood Brothers Racing.
The inspiration for said paint scheme, revealed Thursday at the Henry Ford Musem? The Ford-powered Lotus that Jim Clark drove to a major victory in the 1965 Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
While the connection between Ford Motor Company and Wood Brothers Racing (one that has lasted three-quarters of a century) makes the throwback paint scheme perfect for Darlington, there’s another connection even closer to the organization.
In 1965, Jim Clark and Lotus hired The Wood Brothers to bring their pit stop choreography from the world of NASCAR to the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with the Wood family playing a major role in securing that prestigious victory for Clark.
“What Darlington is, is it’s not only a celebration of NASCAR’s past, but motorsports past, and I think we’ve been close-minded to just stick with stock-car throwbacks,” said Jon Wood, President of Wood Brothers Racing. “So this was a fun one, and I think it celebrates all different disciplines of motorsports, and it branches out more internationally than what we’ve done in the past.”
“When we were asked by Ford Motor Company to pit Jim Clark’s car for the Indy 500, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our family,” said Leonard Wood. “We were just a group of guys from Stuart, Virginia, working on stock cars, and suddenly, we were part of something that would become a unique part of our history. To see that same scheme now on our No. 21 Ford Mustang for Throwback Weekend at Darlington is really special. It brings back a lot of memories, and it’s a great way to honor that moment.”
Berry, in his first season competing in the NASCAR Cup Series for Wood Brothers Racing, has already added to the team’s historic legacy by collecting a victory at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
“The Wood Brothers have such a rich history in racing, and their role in the 1965 Indy 500 is one of those stories that really stands out,” said Berry. “Getting to drive a throwback that represents such a unique moment for the team is really special. The scheme looks amazing, and I can’t wait to hit the track at Darlington with it.”
The 2025 NASCAR Throwback Weekend at Darlington Raceway takes place April 5-6, with the Goodyear 400 scheduled for Sunday, April 6, at 3 p.m. ET on FS1.
