Full disclosure, I might have SHRFPTSD (Stewart-Haas Racing Fan PTSD). Seeing Connor Zilisch to the 48 in 2028 become official much quicker than I expected it to, I’ve become a little more worried about my new team, Trackhouse Racing. I found the news that Josh Berry was out of the 21 at the end of this season to be even more premature. Ergo, my mind is trying to find a way to solve multiple problems for some of my favorite folks in NASCAR. Ultimately, the ideal landing spot for Josh Berry, in my opinion, is the Trackhouse number 88, in 2028.

I know there are some rumors about Josh Berry possibly going to the 33. Honestly, that would be the smartest move for Richard Childress Racing to make. I’m not sure Austin Hill is willing to be the driver that that team needs at this time. Then again, he has shown growth in the fact that he has backed off the Shane van Gisbergen rivalry a bit. I watch the 97 teams in car every week to live tweet updates on X. Austin Hill definitely races the 97 with much more respect these days when they race each other.

Still, while Josh Berry would be the better option for RCR, I don’t think even a one year deal is preferable for Berry. It is my opinion that Josh Berry belongs in Cup racing. I just think he needs to pull a Ryan Preece and bet on himself. He should run the 2027 season in trucks and try his best to get in the 88 in 2028. Perhaps, he could run some in the 88 at JRM next season in the OAP series, as well.

Josh Berry

Andy Coffey — Pit Pass Network

Concerns at Trackhouse

Honestly, if Trackhouse were to go out and try and sign Josh Berry for the 2028 season now, that would be a good move for both the team and the driver. There are some serious concerns, expressed in NASCAR media and within the fan base, that Trackhouse could start 2028 with all new drivers. Given how the cars have been subpar this year, if I were Shane van Gisbergen or Ross Chastain, then I might want to wait and see how 2027 goes before committing to any more years there.

Losing Connor Zilisch is kind of a big deal. I know Justin Marks wants to see Zilisch happy and have a killer career. Furthermore, I know that it’s Hendrick Motorsports. Still, HMS is having a tough season by their standards. Trackhouse is having an even tougher one. Though their season may not be as tough as the one the Wood’s Brothers team has had.

Trackhouse Racing needs to try and find a replacement for Zilisch as quickly as possible to kill that media narrative that SVG and Chastain may look elsewhere too. Narrative’s have a way of becoming reality, if you let them linger out there for too long. Trackhouse needs to fill that 88 seat sooner rather than later. They might also want to try and hire Rodney Childers in some capacity. I really think they could use Rodney as a Compeitition Director to really improve the team. I don’t buy the media narrative that the “next gen” isn’t something Rodney can do, and clearly, he doesn’t buy it either!

Josh Berry to the 88 in 2028
(Works Best for All)

Trackhouse just lost what many fans consider to be their “top” driver, at least where ceiling is concerned. Personally, I believe that honor belongs to Shane van Gisbergen given how skilled he is as a driver. Maybe I’m bias towards older drivers in my older aged days, but Trackhouse needs to do whatever they can to keep BOTH SVG and Ross Chastain. Honestly, I think signing Josh Berry for the 2028 season as quickly as possible will help that. (Hiring Rodney Childers as Competition Director would also help retain Shane van Gisbergen and Ross Chastain.)

Berry could then use his 2027 season to run a season mixed with races at JRM in the OAP series and some truck races. Heck, bringing in Berry could help bring in Rodney Childers too. Imagine, Ross Chastain in the 1, Shane van Gisbergen in the 97, and Josh Berry in the 88 with Rodney Childers as Competition Director in 2028.

When I imagine that team, I believe that is a team that is in-line with what Justin Marks wants for that team. Suddenly, Trackhouse doesn’t seem like a ship that could possibly sink in 2027 before 2028 even gets here. Let us know your thoughts on this topic in the comment section below!