When Wood Brothers Racing confirmed in June that reigning O’Reilly Auto Parts Series champion Jesse Love would take over the iconic No. 21 Ford in 2027, Josh Berry found himself in immediate jeopardy. Lacking personal sponsorship or commercial backing, the 35-year-old Cup Series winner was confronted with the terrifying prospect that his time at racing’s highest level might be over.
For many displaced Cup drivers, dropping down to lower national series like the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series or Craftsman Truck Series serves as a natural safety net. But in today’s pay-driver economy, even those seats require massive corporate backing, something Berry did not have.
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“People are like, ‘Oh, he can go run this O’Reilly Series car or that one,’ and that wasn’t even a remote possibility,” Berry told Motorsport.com. “Like, this was not even a thought or an avenue for someone like me to even perform my way into an opportunity, because I didn’t have the funding.”
“I almost felt like, for me, it was more realistic to race my way into another Cup Series job,” Berry added. “But there weren’t any out there.”
Facing immense pressure, Josh Berry and the No. 21 team responded on the track. Over July and August, Berry delivered a run of six consecutive top-10 finishes, proving his elite racecraft week in and week out.
Despite media narrative calling it an “audition surge,” Berry insists his driving approach remained identical. He continued:
“I don’t feel like I’ve done anything differently over the past two months from what I was doing earlier in the year. I don’t feel like I’m preparing any different. I haven’t changed anything. I just think it took time to turn things around and we were able to do that.”
Jimmie Johnson praises Josh Berry ahead of 2027 Legacy Motor Club move
Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and Legacy Motor Club co-owner Jimmie Johnson has officially added Josh Berry to his driver roster. Berry will take over the controls of the No. 42 Toyota starting in 2027, replacing John Hunter Nemechek.
Highlighting Berry’s unconventional journey from Late Model Stock racing with JR Motorsports to stock car racing’s highest level, Johnson emphasized that Berry’s blue-collar background and strategic mind behind the wheel make him an ideal fit.
“Josh is a proven competitor who has earned everything through hard work and getting his hands dirty,” Johnson said in an official team release. “What stands out about Josh is his ability to manage the big picture behind the wheel — his experience, perspective and wisdom. His career has been built on that foundation, and I know he will have a meaningful impact here. We’re thrilled to have him at Legacy.”
Jimmie Johnson chose to invest in experience and racecraft. Josh Berry’s ability to “manage the big picture” will be vital for Legacy Motor Club as they continue refining their Toyota setups.
Edited by Sashwat Deo