The NASCAR world is buzzing this week, and not in a good way for Wood Brothers Racing. The iconic team announced that Josh Berry will not return for the 2027 season, a move that has fans sharpening their knives and questioning the organization's direction.
Berry, 35, is in his second full season behind the wheel of the No. 21 Ford. While he's notched top-10 finishes at Daytona and Martinsville, the rest of 2026 has been a slog. He currently sits 30th in the standings, and the writing was on the wall.
During a Wednesday teleconference, Berry confirmed the split, admitting it wasn't a complete shock but still a tough pill to swallow. “You hear the rumor mills start going, so I’m not going to say that I was completely caught off guard. I didn’t exactly feel great about it. I probably would have said myself I was probably 50-50 in what was going on,” Berry said, via NASCAR.com. “I’ve been extremely fortunate to get the opportunities I’ve had, and been extremely fortunate to drive for the Wood Brothers and this team. And unfortunately, it’s going a different direction.”
Despite the setback, Berry isn't letting the news rattle his confidence. He pointed to his near-miss at New Hampshire during the playoffs as proof he can still compete at a high level. “I’m still the same guy that nearly won New Hampshire in the playoffs. We just have to spend a tough year, like I said, but we’ll work through it and try to find out what’s out there,” he added.
Fans, however, are less forgiving toward Wood Brothers. Social media lit up with reactions, many of which were critical of the team's decision. “Best thing for his career to be honest,” one fan replied. Another wrote, “Well this just kicked off the silly season with a bang. I didn’t see this coming. He was the best driver they had in years.” A third fan lamented, “I feel really bad for whoever’s career is about to be ruined by getting in this car.” Others simply hope Berry lands on his feet: “Hope this is towards a better opportunity for Josh. You could obviously tell what was going on over at Wood Brothers and Berry wasn’t it.”
Berry has been a full-time Cup Series driver since 2024, and despite this year's struggles, his talent hasn't gone unnoticed. It's widely expected he'll attract interest from other teams in the coming months. The situation also echoes recent turbulence in the racing world, including the 23XI Racing employee suspension after a golf cart incident at Charlotte. Meanwhile, the racing world recently mourned former Indy 500 driver Rick Treadway, a reminder of how quickly things can change in motorsports.
For now, Berry still has the rest of 2026 to prove his worth. But with the 2027 season already a hot topic, the spotlight on Wood Brothers Racing will only intensify. Whether this gamble pays off or backfires remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the fans are not happy.
