Hendersonville’s Own: Josh Berry Hits the Jackpot in Vegas, Brings Cup Victory Back to Tennessee
Josh Berry just made history. The Hendersonville, Tennessee native captured his first career NASCAR Cup Series victory at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, winning the Pennzoil 400 in thrilling fashion.
Driving the legendary No. 21 Ford Mustang for Wood Brothers Racing, Berry seized the lead in the final stage, making a decisive move around Daniel Suárez with just 15 laps to go. As the checkered flag waved, Berry crossed the finish line a Cup Series winner—a career-defining moment for the Tennessee racer and an emotional victory for NASCAR’s longest-running team, celebrating their 75th anniversary.
A Race to Remember
The Pennzoil 400 was anything but predictable, featuring a record-breaking 32 lead changes and nine cautions over 53 laps. Berry kept himself in the hunt all afternoon, running among the leaders before making his charge late in the race.
With Austin Cindric winning Stage 1 and Kyle Larson dominating Stage 2, the battle for the win came down to strategy and execution in the final laps. Berry’s pit crew nailed the final stop, setting him up for a race-winning drive past Suárez.
Tennessee’s Own Breaks Through
For Berry, this win was years in the making. His path to the Cup Series was anything but traditional. He spent years grinding on short tracks, earning a reputation as a late model ace and eventually becoming the all-time wins leader in the CARS Tour. His big break came in NASCAR’s Xfinity Series, where he showcased his raw talent before earning his shot at the Cup level.
After the race, an emotional Berry reflected on the magnitude of the moment:
“They’ve just been so good to me. It’s just been a great relationship. Everybody at Wood Brothers Racing but Team Penske as well—everyone has welcomed me with open arms,” Berry said in Victory Lane.
He also credited his crew chief, Miles Stanley, saying:
“I really can’t say enough about Miles Stanley. He’s so good at what he’s doing. We have a great thing going on together.”
A Win for Hendersonville
For Tennessee racing fans, Berry’s victory is a massive moment. From tearing up the short tracks of the Southeast to conquering NASCAR’s biggest stage, his hard work and perseverance have paid off. His hometown of Hendersonville now has a Cup Series winner to call its own.
With this victory, Berry locks himself into the NASCAR Playoffs, and the question now becomes: can he carry this momentum forward and contend for a championship?
Final Results – Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas
- Josh Berry (No. 21 Ford, Wood Brothers Racing)
- Daniel Suárez (No. 99 Chevrolet, Trackhouse Racing)
- Kyle Larson (No. 5 Chevrolet, Hendrick Motorsports)
- Ryan Blaney (No. 12 Ford, Team Penske)
- Tyler Reddick (No. 45 Toyota, 23XI Racing)
What’s Next?
Berry and the No. 21 team will look to keep the momentum rolling next weekend as NASCAR heads to Miami Homestead. If this win is any sign of what’s to come, Tennessee’s newest racing star is just getting started.
