In just his fifth Cup Series race in the iconic No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang Dark Horse, Josh Berry earned his first career Cup Series victory in Sunday’s Pennzoil 400 Presented by Jiffy Lube at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. It was the 101st win for his Wood Brothers team, and Berry becomes the 20th driver to win a Cup race in the No. 21. The victory also was the first for crew chief Miles Stanley.
“Man, I just can’t believe it,” Berry said. “I’m just so proud of everybody on this team. The car was really solid all day. We just executed. We had a mishap on pit road and were able to rebound again, and I’m just super proud of these guys. I’m just really trying to soak this all in, honestly. I’m trying to take my time with everything and really enjoy this moment.”
Berry ran among the leaders all day. He overcame an extra stop to tighten a loose lug nut, then emerging from a late-race duel with Daniel Suarez to take the lead with 16 laps to go and pull away to a 1.358-second victory.
The victory should have come as no real surprise given the performances by Berry and the No. 21 team in recent races and in Sunday’s 400-miler. He qualified third at Atlanta and led 56 laps before being collected in a late-race wreck. Then last week at Phoenix he qualified fourth, ran strong all day and finished fourth.
At Las Vegas, he qualified seventh and raced in the top-five and top-10 throughout the first Stage. He ended that 80-lap segment in eighth place, earning three Stage points. In Stage Two it was more of the same as he raced in the top five and top 10 before finishing the Stage in eighth place and earning three more Stage points. The team did have one hiccup in the final segment of the race. Berry had to return to pit road after a stop during the Stage break to tighten a loose lug nut.
“It was obviously disappointing, but thankfully the wheel stayed on and we were able to make it to pit road before Miles was going to get a vacation,” Berry said. “It just broke up the race. There was a lot of strategy going on and we were able to capitalize on it. We had a great battle with Joey [Logano] and was hoping it would go green, but we got the caution and this pit crew rebounded and they dug deep at the end and had a great stop and we fought for the win.”
He restarted 19th after getting his wheel tightened and steered through a multi-car crash on the restart to rejoin the top 10. From there he steadily moved forward, moving into the top five with 45 laps remaining and into the top two with 34 to go. From that point on it was a two-driver race between Berry and Suarez, with the 34-year-old Berry pushing the Motorcraft/Quick Lane Mustang to the front to take the lead and the win in his 53rd career Cup start.
“I’m just really proud of everybody on this team,” Berry said. “This is a great group. They build great race cars, and it’s just been a privilege to drive for them. I’m just so really thankful to be here. There are so many people I could thank for this moment, but to be a Cup Series winner is really special.”
Next up for Berry and the Wood Brothers team is next Sunday’s Straight Talk Wireless 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
About Motorcraft®
Motorcraft offers a complete line of replacement parts that are recommended by Ford Motor Company. From routine maintenance to under hood repairs, Motorcraft parts offer value with high quality and the right fit at competitive prices. Motorcraft parts are available nationwide at Ford Dealers and Lincoln Retailers, independent distributors and automotive-parts retailers, and are backed by the Service Parts Limited Warranty* of Ford Motor Company. For more information, visit www.motorcraft.com.
*See your dealer for limited-warranty details.
About Quick Lane® Tire & Auto Center
Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center offers extraordinary service for routine maintenance, serving all vehicle makes and models. Quick Lane provides a full menu of automotive services, including tires, oil change and maintenance, brakes, batteries, alternator and electrical system, air conditioning system, cooling system, transmission service, suspension and steering, wheel alignment, belts and hoses, lamps and bulbs and wiper blades plus a thorough vehicle checkup report. Service is performed by expert technicians while you wait at any of nearly 800 locations in the U.S., with evening and weekend hours available and no appointment necessary. For more information about Quick Lane, please visit www.quicklane.com.
*See your dealer for limited-warranty details.”
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan, committed to helping build a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams. The company’s Ford+ plan for growth and value creation combines existing strengths, new capabilities and always-on relationships with customers to enrich experiences for customers and deepen their loyalty. Ford develops and delivers innovative, must-have Ford trucks, sport utility vehicles, commercial vans and cars and Lincoln luxury vehicles, along with connected services. The company does that through three customer-centered business segments: Ford Blue, engineering iconic gas-powered and hybrid vehicles; Ford Model e, inventing breakthrough EVs along with embedded software that defines exceptional digital experiences for all customers; and Ford Pro, helping commercial customers transform and expand their businesses with vehicles and services tailored to their needs. Additionally, Ford is pursuing mobility solutions through Ford Next, and provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. Ford employs about 177,000 people worldwide. More information about the company and its products and services is available at corporate.ford.com.
About Ford Performance
Ford Performance is based in Dearborn, Mich. It is responsible for Ford’s performance vehicle development and major racing operations globally, including NASCAR, IMSA, SRO British GT, FIA World Rally Championship, Supercars Championship, World of Outlaws, Ultra4, SCORE-International, FIA Rally-Raid, Formula Drift, NHRA, Rebelle Rally, Thailand Super Series and our latest commitment in Formula 1 with RedBull Ford Powertrains. Ford Performance also maintains a constantly evolving fleet of electric performance demonstrators to showcase the limits of electrification technology. In addition, the organization also oversees the development of Ford’s racing engines, as well as the outreach programs with all Ford Clubs and Ford enthusiasts. For more information regarding Ford racing’s activities, please visit Performance.Ford.com or follow @FordPerformance on Facebook, Instagram, X, Threads, TikTok and YouTube.
About Wood Brothers Racing
Founded in 1950 by Hall of Famer Glenn Wood in Stuart, Virginia, Wood Brothers Racing holds a special place in NASCAR history as the sport’s longest-running team. Over eight decades, the team has earned 100 victories in the NASCAR Cup Series, along with 120 poles, and remains proud of its longstanding relationship with Ford Motor Company, fielding only Ford products since its inception. Glenn’s brother, Leonard Wood, played a key role in shaping modern racing by developing the techniques behind today’s pit stops. With a rich legacy rooted in innovation and tradition, Wood Brothers Racing continues to honor its heritage while adapting for the future as it competes in NASCAR’s premier series with Josh Berry.
