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Jul 21, 2026, 4:00 AM CUT

With no 2027 ride in sight, NASCAR Cup star makes emotional admission after frustrating race

Josh Berry's difficult 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season continued at North Wilkesboro. After another frustrating outing that ended with a DNF, the Wood Brothers Racing driver admitted the year has taken an emotional toll on him.

Speaking to NASCAR reporter Matt Weaver after the race, Berry reflected on how different this season has felt compared to the rest of his career. The 35-year-old, who doesn't yet have a seat for 2027, said the repeated setbacks have changed how people view him, despite everything he achieved to reach the Cup Series.

“It's tough," said Berry. "I've worked my whole life to get in this position, and now I feel like people view me completely differently after this year compared to what I've done up until this point."

MARTINSVILLE, VA - MARCH 28: Josh Berry 21 Wood Brothers Racing DEX Ford talks to a crew member during practice for the running of the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series Cook Out 400 on March 28, 2026, at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, VA. Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire AUTO: MAR 28 NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out 400 EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260328009

In 2025, Berry won a race and finished in the Top 5 two more times, including a podium. However, this year, he has struggled to even secure Top 10s, with only two in 21 races.

"It's just been... I've never lived through a season like this when it's just one thing after another," Berry further told Weaver. "Things that people don't see and that don't make it on TV. I don't go on social media every week and post about every little thing that went wrong in our race. We just can't catch a break, man, flat out."

Berry explained that even before the race began, circumstances were working against the No. 21 team. He believed they had the speed to qualify much higher, but rain washed out qualifying, forcing the field to be set by the rulebook instead.

Berry joined the Wood Brothers Racing team at the start of the 2025 season, after spending a year with Stewart-Haas Racing before the organization shut down. However, with Wood Brothers already confirming Jesse Love as its driver for 2027, he is facing uncertainty over where he will race next year.

In the same boat is another driver.

Noah Gragson unsure of future with Front Row Motorsports

In an interaction on the Dale Jr. Download podcast on July 15, Noah Gragson responded to a question from Chase Briscoe, who had asked him why he didn’t punch Kevin Magnussen during their post-race confrontation after the inaugural NASCAR San Diego race.

Gragson stated that the consequences of such an altercation would have jeopardized his goal of securing a seat for next year, as it is currently unknown whether he will return to FRM in 2027. He said,

"I was (going to take Magnussen on), but I'm trying to get a job next year. There’s a lot more consequences than just the monetary fine if I were to do that."

If Gragson does not end up returning to FRM in 2027, Layne Riggs, who is currently leading the Truck Series driver rankings, is being linked as a potential candidate to fill his seat.

Written by

Aaradhya Singh

Edited by

Yash Kotak