3 potential landing spots for Josh Berry in the 2025 season following Tony-Stewart-led SHR exit
Josh Berry competes in the NASCAR Cup Series for Stewart-Haas Racing, driving the No.4 Ford Mustang Dark Horse. SHR onboarded him as a full-time driver for the NASCAR Cup Series in 2024, replacing the retiring Kevin Harvick.
Josh Berry has previously driven for Hendrick Motorsports, Legacy Motor Club, and Spire Motorsports in the Cup Series. With Stewart-Haas Racing's announcement that it will shut down operations at the end of the 2024 season, Berry finds himself without a car ride in the upcoming season. In a recent interview with Motor Racing Network, he said:
"Being a rookie in the Series is really hard, and I think that I have answered the call on that, and I'm proud of the job that I've done. I'm proud of the job that I did at HMS and I feel like that I'm deserving of being here," Josh Berry said [at 4:01].
Josh Berry has bagged 5 wins, 52 top-tens, and 4 pole positions from his career in the Xfinity Series. He currently stands 20th on the leaderboard with 264 points, 1 top-five, and 2 top-ten finishes for SHR this season, and firmly believes that he is deserving of a spot in the Cup Series for 2025. Dale Earnhardt Jr. finds himself in agreement with Berry. On the "Dale Jr. Download" podcast, Earnhardt Jr. said, "I absolutely think he belongs in the Cup Series."
Here are the 3 teams that Josh Berry could potentially join:
#3 Joe Gibbs Racing
With Martin Truex Jr. showing possible signs of retirement, team owner Joe Gibbs could be on the lookout for another driver. Truex Jr has not confirmed anything and he says that he is still in the process of making a decision, but he might be running out of time. Josh Berry is definitely on JGR's watchlist.
Having raced with Ty Gibbs in the CARS Tour, the sense of familiarity could aid their relationship as teammates, helping JGR bring in the results that they hope to achieve next season.
#2 Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing (RFK)
RFK Racing finds itself interested in a charter with Stewart-Haas Racing.
This would help them bring in Josh Berry as a driver for the 2025 season. With their equipment being potentially better than SHR's, Berry could easily make his way to the playoffs in the next season. If RFK Racing were to go forward with its Stage-60 project, a charter with SHR would make the most sense and would provide Berry with a seat on the table for 2025
Brad Keselowski (co-owner and driver for RFK Racing) and Josh Berry have had differences in the past, the most recent being in March at the Penzoil 400, in Las Vegas. They would have to hold out an olive branch before they consider the idea of racing together in the upcoming season.
#1 Front Row Motorsports
Bob Jenkins, owner of Front Row Motorsports recently announced that he would be taking in three new charter entries instead of two, for the 2025 season.
Michael McDowell announcing his exit from Front Row Motorsports to drive the No. 71 Chevrolet at Spire Motorsports creates an opening for a new driver at FRM. Josh Berry would be a likely candidate to replace him. FRM's Ford, which is just as competitive as his previous Ford at SHR, could provide Berry with a sense of familiarity that would help him fit right in.
FRM has not yet confirmed who they will be bringing in next season. It is rumored that Cole Custer is also on that list. If FRM decides to buy a charter from SHR, they could have more than two drivers competing in the Cup Series.