Josh Berry: Legacy’s New Hope

A long time ago in what feels like an era of NASCAR that is far far away, teams weren’t so quick to gamble on young drivers. In that era of NASCAR, Josh Berry never would have had the rug pulled out from under him at Wood Brothers Racing. Back then teams would have rather had a proven veteran than taking the risk involved in signing younger talent. Furthermore, it was much more common for drivers to drive into their late 40s or 50s. There were even some that drove into their 60s. The next gen era is not like that at all.

The last time Wood Brothers Racing had a driver as talented as Josh Berry was back when they had Ryan Blaney. Even with Ryan Blaney, WBR struggled when compared to Team Penske. Sadly, both WBR and Penske struggled during the early part of this season. This led to Wood Brothers Racing announcing that Josh Berry would not return in 2027. Instead, Jesse Love was announced as their driver beginning in 2027. Personally, I see this as a very risky move given how OAP series drivers have performed upon being brought into Cup lately. Connor Zilisch is probably the best example of how even a killer OAP driver is no guarantee of results.

Zilisch isn’t the only example. For another example, just look at Austin Hill in the 33. Furthermore, Shane van Gisbergen has said that he wished he didn’t waste a year in the OAP series. SVG claims that for him the Craftsman Truck Series is better at preparing you for Cup series racing these days. Other than SVG, Carson Hocevar is perhaps the best new Cup series driver. Hocevar came straight from the truck series. Josh Berry won in his 5th start with WBR. I don’t see Jesse Love finding Cup series success that quickly, especially given how quick WBR is to switch drivers.

Wood Brothers Racing’s Driver Change is all Cope

From the year 2022 through about 2025, I developed a bit of an addiction to consumption of online analysis of the Russian special military operation in Ukraine. In the 21st century, mainstream American corporate media has lost a ton of the public’s trust, especially when it comes to war coverage. This particular armed conflict utilizes quite a bit of wartime propaganda. Russia, Ukraine, and Ukraine’s allies all utilize it. Said propaganda saturated the social arena on this topic. When one side calls out the other side’s propaganda, the accused side often accused them of being hooked on “copium.” Obviously, cope rhymes with dope. Accusations of news articles being nothing more than “cope” are launched at the opposing side almost as much often as drones are launched in this conflict.

Ultimately, my analysis of WBR dropping Josh Berry comes to a similar conclusion. All of Ford struggled earlier this season, even Penske. Wood Brothers needed to cope and went out and hired Jesse Love for 2027. Not long after this, Josh Berry goes on a six race top 10 streak. This is evidence that Josh Berry was not the problem at Wood Brothers. Of course, I remember worrying about Josh Berry signing with Wood Brothers. They seem to operate as a try out car for Team Penske. I was further concerned when they turned down bringing on Rodney Childers to crew chief for Berry. That just seemed insane to me. Still does.

Legacy Motor Club Has a New Hope:
Josh Berry

As I’ve been working on this article, Josh Berry had a great race at Bristol. Unsurprisingly, his late model short track experience was on display at the Last Great Colosseum. The rest of Team Penske had a great night as well. First, Joey Logano grabbed himself a big win. Blaney was fast all night. Perhaps, in hindsight, Blaney may have been a little too fast (on his feet) as he ran right into Hocevar’s fist. Austin Cindric had an Austin Cindric kind of night with a solid p11 finish. On the other hand, Josh Berry grabbed p6 finish. So far Legacy Motor Club doesn’t have much of a Legacy.

The owners do have a total of 14 driver championships. Obviously those 14 titles are from the driving careers of two of the owners: Jimmie “Jams” Johnson (aka “7-time”) and King Richard (Petty). Ergo, those aren’t really part of Legacy’s legacy. Just look at how many drivers have driven the 42 Legacy entry. 2022 Ty Dillon was the sole driver for the ride. In 2023, Ty Dillon was gone and 6 other drivers took turns piloting the 42 LMC entry. Yeah, you can probably blame Noah Gragson clicking like on a meme that many found offensive for that. John Hunter Nemecheck was who was left to hire for the 2024 season. He has driven it ever since. JHN has earned 3 top 5s during his tenure, and more DNF’s than heck, Josh Berry at WBR. (You may want to fact check me here as that is guess that I’ve thrown in there for style moreso than substance.) At least, it certainly feels that way.

JHN aka DNF

If JHN had a name that could more easily be turned into a pun about his (lack of) finishes, well Ricky Stenhouse’s “Wrecky Spinout” wouldn’t be the best name based pun. Heck, we often just give his initials JHN. Maybe, I’ll just start calling Nemecheck, “DNF” instead of JHN. Erik Jones, by comparison has some wins and is right on the edge of making the postseason every year. The 43 car has a solid driver. Now Mr. Jones will have some help with a highly skilled veteran driver, at least starting in the off season.

Imagine R2D2 as an LMC Droid sent to their version of Luke Skywalker. Now imagine a holographic film of Erik Jones (for some reason sporting the same hairstyle as Princess Leia) telling Josh Berry that he’s “their only hope.” I tell you to imagine these things not only because it is humorous, but because looking out there right now. Josh Berry truly is Legacy’s only hope to rise above mid-pack and get on the path to grow into the next Joe Gibbs Racing. Shane van Gisbergen and Ross Chastain are under contract through 2027. Previously, their teammate Connor Zilisch was under contract through 2027, but has since signed a deal with Hendrick Motorsports for 2028 and beyond. Honestly, as a Trackhouse fan, I was hoping to see Josh Berry take a step back from Cup and return to Cup with Trackhouse in 2028.

Josh Berry: A New Hope

If I’m being objective though, this move to Legacy for next season is the best move for Josh Berry. Trackhouse seems to be sliding in the opposite direction of Legacy. Keeping with my attempt at objectivity, I want people to think about Josh Berry signing with LMC. A lot of people see this as lucky for Josh Berry, but Josh Berry went out and drove his butt off to earn this opportunity. While Legacy provided Berry with the ability to stay in Cup in 2027, it is Josh Berry who is LMC’s “new hope.” This move will greatly benefit both. One day in the not terribly distant future, we will look back at this signing as a cornerstone of Legacy’s incoming legacy.