Ford Racing Notes and Quotes
NASCAR Cup Series
Dollar Tree 301 Qualifying — New Hampshire Motor Speedway
Saturday, August 22, 2026
Ford Qualifying Results:
2nd – Josh Berry
8th – Ryan Blaney
13th – Todd Gilliland
14th – Zane Smith
16th – Chris Buescher
18th – Ryan Preece
19th – Noah Gragson
21st – Joey Logano
25th – Brad Keselowski
26th – Austin Cindric
JOSH BERRY, No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Mustang Dark Horse – SO CLOSE TO THE POLE. WHERE WERE YOU LACKING? “I thought we were a touch on the free side. I really didn’t love my lap. I thought somebody would run in the nineties, for sure. I just got a little bit free in one and then in three and four I got a little it up on the seam and couldn’t quite finish four like I wanted. Overall, it was a good practice for us and obviously a great starting spot. We’re fighting hard right now, for sure. We’re making the most of this run with our car. It’s looking really strong, so I just want to thank everybody back at the Wood Brothers, Team Penske, Ford Racing, Motorcraft, Quick Lane. We’re fighting hard. It should be a good opportunity for us tomorrow.”
WHAT IS THE PROSPECT FOR TOMORROW? “Statistically, this has been a very good track for me, so hopefully we can keep it rolling. I mean, it’s hard to keep up an average like we’ve had, but I feel like we’ve got a good car, and I feel like long runs have been where we’ve been focusing and we just need to maintain our track position and fight all day long and you never know.”
HAVE YOU MADE MANY CHANGES FROM LAST YEAR? “I don’t know. We’re on a little bit different tire than last year, so just kind of adjusting for the differences there and just differences in the cars and the rules and everything that we do nowadays, but, overall, I felt like I have a good feel for this place for whatever reason. It reminds me a lot of the short track racing I did growing up and just feel confident coming here. Obviously, it’s a great starting spot. I need to make the most of it and try to figure out what’s next. That’s what we’re working on. My phone, I’d love for it to ring this afternoon.”
WHAT IS IT ABOUT YOU AND THIS PLACE THAT CLICKS? “I don’t know. I got my first pole in the O’Reilly Series here and ran pretty well. I’ve had good finishes in the Cup car obviously the last couple years, so I don’t know. It’s just somewhere I feel comfortable for whatever reason. Most of all, I’ve had good cars. That’s the biggest thing. Obviously, Wood Brothers, Team Penske have been really strong here the last couple years and we had a great car in the 4, so I’m just making the most of it and just feeling comfortable here.”
YOU SPOKE WITH TYLER REDDICK. WHAT DID YOU GUYS TALK ABOUT? “I’ll keep it to myself, but obviously this is a big opportunity for us tomorrow. He’s got a lot to race for the rest of the year and I’ve got a lot to race for each and every week, so just remind him of that. Nothing crazy. This is a really big opportunity for us tomorrow. I think it’s a great track for us. We’ve had great cars here. We just need to capitalize.”
HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO HAVE GOOD MOMENTUM THIS PART OF THE SEASON WHILE LOOKING FOR A RIDE? “It’s been helpful, without a doubt. If anything, I think it’s eased my mind a little bit not necessarily in finding an opportunity, but just that if one doesn’t come about, I feel like I’ve done all I can. How the beginning part of this season went was not a reflection of me and how I drive and how I race. Being able to turn the corner here with some good cars and capitalize on it definitely makes me feel a lot more calm going into this deal and just kind of letting it play out.”
