Josh Berry: From Bank Teller to NASCAR’s Rising Star

Page 1: The Underdog Nobody Saw Coming

In the high-octane world of NASCAR, where success is often forged in youth development programs and million-dollar sponsorships, Josh Berry’s story reads like a script Hollywood would reject for being too unlikely.

Once working full-time as a bank teller in Tennessee while racing part-time on weekends, Berry was far from the fast track to NASCAR stardom. In fact, by the time many drivers were making names for themselves in the NASCAR Truck or Xfinity Series, Berry was still grinding it out on short tracks across the Southeast, chasing a dream that most considered out of reach.

Fast forward to 2025—and Berry has stunned the sport.

In what many are calling the feel-good story of the year, Berry notched his first-ever NASCAR Cup Series win at the Pennzoil 400 in Las Vegas, driving the No. 21 Ford Mustang for Wood Brothers Racing. This moment wasn’t just a win—it was a thunderous rebuttal to every critic who once labeled him the “potential biggest disappointment of 2024.”

The moment was raw, emotional, and deeply satisfying—for Berry, his loyal supporters, and especially one man who had been in his corner since day one: Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Page 2: A Sim Racer with a Dream

Josh Berry’s journey into NASCAR is nothing short of extraordinary—and it all began on a computer.

In 2008, Dale Earnhardt Jr., known for his deep ties to grassroots racing and love of iRacing, spotted Berry’s name at the top of online leaderboards. Impressed by his speed and consistency, Earnhardt Jr. struck up a conversation with Berry and eventually offered him the opportunity of a lifetime: a ride in a Late Model for JR Motorsports.

For Berry, who had grown up idolizing Earnhardt Jr. and his legendary father, it was surreal.

“I never imagined it would lead to this,” Berry once said. “I was just a sim racer trying to get faster. Next thing I know, I’m driving for Dale Jr.”

Between 2010 and 2020, Berry became a Late Model powerhouse, earning win after win for JR Motorsports and ultimately capturing the 2020 NASCAR Weekly Series national championship. But even with that success, his path to the national level of NASCAR remained uncertain.

In 2021, Earnhardt Jr. again put his money—and faith—into Berry. He funded a part-time Xfinity Series campaign that quickly paid off when Berry won at Martinsville Speedway, one of NASCAR’s toughest short tracks. That win wasn’t just a victory on paper—it was a turning point.

“That was the moment people started paying attention,” Earnhardt Jr. recalled. “He proved he belonged.”

Page 3: The Roadblocks of 2024

Despite his growing reputation in the Xfinity Series—three wins in 2022, and consistent top-10s in 2023—Berry faced serious skepticism heading into the 2024 Cup Series season.

Stewart-Haas Racing, a team once dominant in the sport, had been struggling with performance and sponsorship issues. When Kevin Harvick announced his retirement, Berry was tapped to replace him in the iconic No. 4 car. The announcement was met with mixed reactions.

Some hailed it as a fresh opportunity for a hard-working underdog. Others—particularly within Cup Series circles—raised eyebrows.

In a 2024 pre-season poll conducted among drivers and team members, Josh Berry was voted the “Potential Biggest Disappointment of the Year.” That label hung over him like a storm cloud.

His season with Stewart-Haas was rocky. The team’s ongoing struggles with speed and consistency hampered Berry’s ability to compete. He showed flashes of promise, but no standout finishes. Then came the bombshell—Stewart-Haas Racing would shut down its operations at the end of the 2024 season.

It could have been the end of Berry’s Cup Series career before it ever really started.

But fate—and the racing gods—weren’t done with him yet.

Page 4: Redemption in 2025 with Wood Brothers Racing

After SHR’s collapse, Berry was left searching for a ride. Many assumed he’d return to Xfinity or step back into a reserve role. But once again, a window opened—and Berry charged through it.

Wood Brothers Racing, the most storied team in NASCAR history, was in the market for a full-time driver. Berry’s name was on their shortlist, thanks in part to his calm demeanor, maturity, and the backing of Kevin Harvick and Dale Jr.

“We knew what kind of driver Josh was,” Harvick said. “He just needed the right environment to show it.”

The fit was seamless. From Day One of the 2025 season, Berry and the Wood Brothers team clicked. Their chemistry was palpable, and the performance soon followed.

At Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Berry shocked the field, leading crucial laps and fending off veterans in the closing stages to capture his first Cup win. The victory sent shockwaves through the garage.

“You couldn’t have written it better,” Earnhardt Jr. said with a proud smile. “From sim racer to Late Models to Xfinity to Cup Series winner. And he did it with class, grit, and heart.”

Page 5: Is Josh Berry Here to Stay?

Berry’s win at Las Vegas was more than just a feel-good moment—it marked a potential new era for the Wood Brothers and for underdogs across the sport. But the big question now is: Can Josh Berry sustain this momentum?

There are reasons to believe he can.

Berry’s background in Late Models has given him a level of car control and track awareness that many Cup drivers take years to develop. He’s also incredibly adaptable, having driven for various teams in different conditions throughout his career. Combine that with the support from industry veterans like Earnhardt Jr., Harvick, and crew chief Jon Wood, and you have a recipe for long-term success.

“This isn’t a fluke,” Harvick said firmly. “He’s just getting started.”

The Cup Series is as competitive as ever. Drivers like Kyle Larson, William Byron, and Ryan Blaney are setting the bar high, and young talents like Ty Gibbs and Zane Smith are constantly improving. But Berry has one thing many of them don’t: a decade of racing experience in the trenches, where every race could make or break a career.

There will be challenges ahead, no doubt. But for Josh Berry, every setback has only fueled his rise. And now, with a Cup win under his belt, he’s no longer NASCAR’s best-kept secret—he’s its newest star.

Conclusion: More Than Just a Win

Josh Berry’s ascent to NASCAR Cup Series victory lane is a testament to perseverance, raw talent, and unwavering belief—from mentors, fans, and the driver himself.

He may have once been a sim racer with a dream. A bank teller balancing shifts with track time. A “disappointment” in the eyes of skeptics.

But now? He’s a winner, a contender, and a symbol of what can happen when someone refuses to quit—even when the entire industry doubts them.

In a sport built on speed, Berry’s story proves that sometimes, the best journeys take a little longer—but they’re worth every mile.