Long time JR Motorsports mainstay Josh Berry looks to bring home another championship to his journeyed career (Photo: Luis Torres | The Podium Finish).
PHOENIX – Race car drivers around the world strap into their cars, hoping it’s the moment to shine and get to the next level. Many drivers try, but only reach a certain point on the racing ladder. In an era where money rules racing, talent at times gets put by the wayside.
Not often a racer can grab the brass ring on just talent alone, but Josh Berry is among those that has been able to reach the ring.
This Saturday at Phoenix Raceway, the JR Motorsports driver is determined to bring home another champion for the Dale Jr. and Kelley Earnhardt Miller entity, but perhaps a title for all the short-track racers.
For years, Berry has remained loyal to the Earnhardt family, winning championships in both the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series and CARS Tour. In addition to season titles, he’s also won at iconic venues such as Martinsville, Myrtle Beach and Hickory.
As much success as the 32-year-old has had, his road to NASCAR national touring stardom took time as funding has always lacked. Such issue prevented him from making the jump to the national touring divisions, but when he got a shot in Xfinity, Berry made the most of it.
Prior to the 2021 season, Berry made seven Xfinity Series starts with three of those being top-10 outings. Those efforts took place when he drove a JRM entry from 2014-16.
Over time, a grand opportunity arose for Berry after earning a part-time deal in the No. 8 Chevrolet last season. By his seventh race at Martinsville, he proved his worth by besting teammate and good friend Noah Gragson. No doubt, it was a win for the short-track racers that would kill for a shot in the upper tiers of NASCAR.
Due to it being a part-time gig, the initiable of being out of a ride happened as Sam Mayer took over the car once he turned 18. But the story was far from over as Berry ended up making Cup starts for Spire Motorsports and drove additional NXS races for Jordan Anderson and JRM once again.
The latter was a result of filling in for an injured Michael Annett. Berry took the No. 1 Chevrolet Camaro to Las Vegas and scored his second career win. Again, proving his worth that people on the short track scene have already known for years.
Such runs gave Berry the breakthrough he’s been looking for — fighting for a championship. With his first full season reaching its climax, Berry has racked up three wins, including another Vegas triumph that punched his ticket to the Championship 4.
“It’s been amazing. I never really expected that and the last couple of weeks has given me a lot of time to reflect back on things,” said Berry. “Two years ago, they surprised me with a 12-race opportunity to drive the No. 8 car. Even then, I may have let myself dream or think about having an opportunity like this. You’re never confident that it’s going to happen.
“A lot of things had to work my way to make it this far … I’m super proud of my journey and how I got there. I’m thankful for everybody that’s had a part of this. To get a full-time opportunity, we felt like we were plenty capable of making the Championship 4. Here we are and who knows what will happen next.”
Berry looks to bring home the championship at Phoenix (Photo: Luis Torres | The Podium Finish).
Should Berry end up besting his two JRM teammates in Gragson and Justin Allgaier along with the polarizing Ty Gibbs, he’ll turn from a short track ace to a national touring champion. All thanks to perseverance and a strong group of folks that believed in him, especially “Boss Man” Dale Earnhardt Jr.
At times, things were going rough from a managerial side. Berry’s crew chief, Mike Bumgarner, will step off the pit box and become the team’s director of competition next year. Earnhardt said that Berry and the whole No. 8 squad have been able to overcome that. Plus, Berry continuing full-time racing in Xfinity next year further boosts overall morale.
“I remember a year ago, we were all just about in tears talking about running full-time with Josh,” Earnhardt said. “How emotional that is, just to know he’ll get a real chance to run an entire season and see what happens. He’s done a good job at seizing opportunities. Such as the one that presented itself at Vegas to get to this moment.
“There have been times when I think we should’ve run better or could’ve run better. We probably didn’t do any favors to Josh or the team by announcing that his crew chief was going to become the GM next year. We released the person that was in that position, and it put a strain on the company and team in an opportune time.
“That was poor management on my part. I feel like they were able to get through that and they’re in a great position. The great thing is Josh, like all the other drivers, know their future. He’s not racing day-to-day, week-to-week anymore. He can go into this experience, knowing what next year looks like and that’s comforting to him. He can focus on what he needs to do Saturday.”
Naturally, Berry’s main goal is to win the championship. But if he comes up short, Berry wants to see Gragson or Allgaier win the title. A JRM championship would be its first since Tyler Reddick won in 2018.
Very similar to Team Penske’s INDYCAR program this season, the organization’s main goal is to bring home a title. Regardless of which driver brings it home, it’ll be an amazing feat.
“(Dale) is excited for us and wanted to see how we felt. We all say we feel good going into this. You always feel that way,” said Berry. “For me, our goal was simple. We need our best race. It took one of my best races to advance to the Championship 4 at [Las] Vegas.
“To overcome everything, like some problems on pit road, and then get the win was a huge moment. We think anything is possible, but we need to have a great race car and I need to drive a great race. Great execution, great strategy, and all of this stuff to win the race.”
Berry during Xfinity practice (Photo: Michael Donohue | The Podium Finish).
All focus remains on Phoenix, but Berry’s 2023 season already looking bright in terms of sponsorship. On Tuesday, it was announced that Berry will have Bass Pro Shops on the No. 8 Camaro for 11 races.
As the old saying goes, the more the merrier with sponsorship.
“It’s everything. When I speak to my journey and the things that have happened, there’s a lot of things behind the scenes that helped make that happen,” Berry explained. “Obviously, I got the opportunity last year which was kind of a Hail Mary as Dale would describe it. To put together the pieces to run a full season, that takes the Tire Pros and all the dealers across the country.
“Harrison USA, Danny Harrison was a big supporter of mine. Locally owned, regionally based business. Kind of family business that took a leap of faith to help get me out there and push that. We’ve had all sorts of partners that put into it.
“Next year with Bass Pro Shops stepping onboard. It takes all that and all the timing. This stuff isn’t just about clicking your fingers and making it happen.”
Coverage of Saturday’s championship race begins at 6:00 p.m. ET on USA Network. Daniel Hemric is the defending race winner after eking out Austin Cindric to capture his maiden NXS win and championship.
