In one of the most unexpected finishes of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season, Josh Berry and the legendary Wood Brothers Racing team punched their ticket to the playoffs with a stunning victory in the Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Berry, a full-time Cup rookie, capitalized on a late-race shakeup to earn his first career win in NASCARâs top series, delivering the Wood Brothers their long-awaited 100th Cup Series victoryâa milestone that has eluded the team since 2017.
A Masterclass in Execution
The No. 21 Ford Mustang showed solid speed throughout the weekend, but few expected Berry to be in contention for the win. As the laps wound down, strategy and late-race chaos played right into his hands.
A late caution bunched up the field, allowing Berryâs team to gamble on fresh tires. Restarting inside the top five, Berry made a daring three-wide move to take the lead in the closing laps. Holding off veterans like Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson, and Joey Logano, he crossed the finish line first, securing an emotional and historic victory.
âA Dream Come Trueâ
An overjoyed Berry was nearly speechless in Victory Lane.
“This is unbelievable. To win a Cup race, and to do it with the Wood Brothers⌠I donât even have words,â Berry said. âThis team believed in me, and we just kept fighting. This is for them, for our fans, and for everyone whoâs supported me through the years.â
Crew chief Jeremy Bullins, who reunited with the Wood Brothers after years with Team Penske, called the strategy perfectly and praised Berryâs execution.
“We put ourselves in the right position, and Josh got it done. Itâs amazing to be part of the Wood Brothersâ 100th win,â Bullins said.
The Playoff Picture Shifts
With the victory, Berry locks himself into the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, a huge accomplishment for both him and the single-car Wood Brothers operation. This win also shakes up the postseason battle, as it removes a potential points spot, making life tougher for drivers near the bubble like Kyle Busch, Ryan Preece, and Daniel SuĂĄrez.
Whatâs Next?
Berryâs win cements his place in NASCAR history and gives the Wood Brothers their long-awaited return to Victory Lane. Now, the challenge shifts to maintaining momentum and proving that this win wasnât just a Vegas fluke.
As the season rolls on, one thing is clear: Josh Berry and the No. 21 team just became a team to watch in the 2025 Cup Series season.
