Josh Berry and the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane team turned a challenging afternoon into a strong finish Sunday at Martinsville Speedway, rallying from a lap down to record a 10th-place result in the Xfinity 500. The effort marked the team’s second top-10 finish in the past six races and their seventh of the 2025 season.
The day began uphill for Berry, who rolled off 27th on the grid and lost a lap to the leaders just past the 100-lap mark. Despite the early deficit, the team continued to make gains on their Ford Mustang Dark Horse, and Berry closed out Stage 1 in 22nd position.
Midway through the race, the No. 21 appeared poised to regain the lead lap when a caution flew on Lap 229 for a spin by Cole Custer. Initially in the free pass position, Berry was later ruled ineligible after officials determined he had been part of the incident, having been nudged by Alex Bowman just before making contact with Custer.
Patience paid off a few laps later when another caution waved on Lap 242, this time for a lost wheel on Cody Ware’s car. Running 18th, Berry claimed the free pass without question and rejoined the lead lap, finishing Stage 2 in 18th place.
Berry’s persistence was tested again on Lap 280 when contact between Bubba Wallace and Brad Keselowski sent his No. 21 Mustang spinning. Fortunately, the incident caused minimal damage, and Berry maintained his position on the lead lap.
A strategic call from crew chief Miles Stanley would ultimately change the course of the day. During a cycle of green-flag pit stops around Lap 375, the Motorcraft/Quick Lane team stayed out longer than most of the field, and when a caution flag appeared with Berry running third, the move paid off. After pitting under yellow, Berry restarted inside the top five and held steady near the front through the closing laps.
A late caution set up an 11-lap sprint to the finish. Berry slipped just outside the top 10 after the restart but fought back to secure a hard-earned 10th-place finish – a much-needed result after several weeks of misfortune.
“We’ve had some terrible luck the last few weeks,” Berry said. “We finally caught a break with the caution and got track position. We were just trying to hang on to it the best we could. Obviously, we would’ve loved to have seen it run green to the finish, but overall, a top 10 – we’ll take it.”
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 101 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.
