A seat has just opened up during Silly Season. Josh Berry has revealed that he will not return to Wood Brothers Racing after the 2026 Cup Series season.
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"I will not be back in the 21 car next year," Berry told media members during a Zoom press conference on Wednesday. "I'm obviously disappointed about that. They've been amazing to work with.
"They're amazing people and it's been such a great opportunity. Obviously, going to Victory Lane for the first time and winning your first race with them will always be really special, but I'm not gonna be back in the 21 next year."
Berry added that he is "hitting the ground running" after learning that he would not return to Wood Brothers Racing less than 24 hours before meeting with media members.
He will try to find a new home for the 2027 season while working with his representation at Kevin Harvick's management company, KHI.
"We're going to work hard to try to land on our feet and find something," Berry added. "Don't really have any expectations or plans for what that might be. Certainly open to really anything."
The Tennessee native has been a full-time driver in the Cup Series since the 2024 season. He spent his rookie year with the now-inactive Stewart-Haas Racing and then he moved to Wood Brothers Racing in 2025.
The first season in the famed No. 21 Ford featured some early success. Berry won his first career Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and he secured a spot in the playoffs. He posted eight total top-10 finishes.
This season has not featured the same production. All of Team Penske, which includes Wood Brothers Racing, has struggled. Berry only has two top-10 finishes in 15 starts, and he has crashed in four races. He enters Pocono weekend sitting 31st in the standings.
Once Berry revealed his career change, Wood Brothers Racing responded by issuing a statement. The team said that it will not exercise its option on Berry to bring him back for 2027. The team will announce the new driver of the No. 21 Ford Mustang in the near future.
"We thank Josh Berry for all he's done for Wood Brothers Racing and our partners over the last two seasons," the team said in a statement. "Josh has been a great teammate and we look forward to a strong finish to this season.
"We wish Josh all the best moving forward. We will announce who will be driving the No. 21 Ford Mustang Dark Horse in 2027 soon and we are excited for what lies ahead for Wood Brothers Racing."
