Josh Berry’s Rise: The Journey from Late Models to Cup Series Glory with Help from Harvick and Earnhardt Jr.

It’s been a long, winding road for Josh Berry, but with persistence, talent, and the backing of two NASCAR legends—Kevin Harvick and Dale Earnhardt Jr.—he’s officially arrived. Berry’s first-ever NASCAR Cup Series win at the Pennzoil 400 in Las Vegas wasn’t just a victory for him, but a powerful validation of the people who believed in him long before the rest of the world caught on.

On a recent episode of Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour, Harvick reminisced about the moment he and Earnhardt Jr. first spotted something special in Berry.

“We wanted to put him in the 4 car,” Harvick shared. “Myself and Rodney [Childers] and everyone at Stewart-Haas left it up to us to choose the candidates for the seat. I started talking to Dale about how to go about it. I wanted to make sure he wouldn’t be mad if we reached out to Josh, since he was driving a Chevy for Dale.”

Earnhardt Jr., far from being upset, was Berry’s biggest advocate.

“There’s not a bigger Josh Berry supporter out there than Dale Jr.,” Harvick added. “Josh has been part of their family for years. Dale and Kelley [Earnhardt Miller] gave him a shot in late models, then in Xfinity. Josh did the rest by winning.”

From Underdog to Headliner

Josh Berry’s career has been one of steady climbing. After years of grinding in late models and working as a bank teller while racing part-time, Berry finally got his full-time opportunity in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with JR Motorsports in 2022. He made the most of it—winning three races in 2022 and racking up 10 top-10s in 2023.

Then came 2024, when Berry was tapped to drive the iconic No. 4 car for Stewart-Haas Racing, filling the seat left vacant by Kevin Harvick’s retirement. It was a high-pressure role, but Berry proved up to the task.

“He’s a pretty even-keel guy,” Harvick said of Berry, who he also interviewed for FOX Sports. “Just hearing him talk about going through the 4 car situation, then stepping into the 9, and now heading to Wood Brothers—it’s crazy how fast he’s clicked with that team.”

In 2025, Berry joined Wood Brothers Racing for his second full-time Cup Series season. And just five races in, he’s already delivered the team its first win of the year in Las Vegas—one that could mark the beginning of something special.

Kyle Busch Praises the “Cream of the Crop” in the Cup Series

While Berry’s win is making waves, Kyle Busch isn’t shy about naming who he thinks currently reigns supreme in NASCAR.

“The cream of the crop is Kyle [Larson] or William [Byron] with this Next Gen car,” Busch told Kevin Harvick. “Those two are competitive every single week.”

Busch highlighted the technical chemistry behind the scenes as well. His crew chief Randall Burnett has a strong relationship with Byron’s engineer, and Busch is personally close to Larson off the track. Their kids even race together.

“I bounce ideas off of him,” Busch said about Larson. “There’s no one definitive driving style, but those two are who we lean on the most.”

Athlon Sports backs up Busch’s opinion. In its 2025 preview magazine, it ranked Larson and Byron first and fourth overall, respectively. Larson’s versatility across track types and Byron’s diverse win record show their dominance isn’t just hype—it’s built on results.

Paint Schemes and South Florida Drama at Homestead-Miami

As the NASCAR Cup Series rolls into Homestead-Miami Speedway, fans have plenty to look forward to—including some eye-catching new paint schemes and a unique race-day atmosphere thanks to nearby grass fires (though officials are confident they won’t affect the event).

Among the standout liveries:

• Kyle Busch’s No. 8 Bank OZK Chevy is a slick mix of red, black, white, and gray—classic RCR with a modern twist. Rating: 8/10
• Denny Hamlin’s No. 11 Progressive Toyota debuts a major new sponsor with a bold look. Rating: 9/10
• Ryan Blaney’s No. 12 Dent Wizard Ford delivers a vibrant blue, yellow, and orange design that pops under the Miami sun. Rating: 8.5/10
• Chase Briscoe’s No. 19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota brings a “fish scale” theme that’s fun but slightly overshadowed. Rating: 8/10
• Bubba Wallace’s No. 23 Columbia Sportswear Toyota turns heads with a bright, colorful scheme and earns top style points. Rating: 9/10
• William Byron’s No. 24 Valvoline Chevy continues the proud Valvoline legacy with a sharp, familiar design. Rating: 8.5/10

Looking Ahead

With Josh Berry breaking into the win column, Kyle Busch spotlighting the sport’s top talents, and Homestead-Miami ready to light up the track—literally and figuratively—NASCAR fans have every reason to be hyped.

The season is still young, but stories are already forming that could define 2025: Can Josh Berry become a weekly contender? Will Larson or Byron dominate the season? Who’s the next young driver to rise through the ranks?

One thing’s for sure: with legends like Harvick and Earnhardt Jr. still influencing the sport from behind the scenes, NASCAR’s future looks as strong as its past.