Josh Berry, a 35-year-old competitor from Hendersonville, Tennessee, will not return to the No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing entry for the 2027 Cup Series, the organization announced on Tuesday. Berry, who has spent the past two seasons with the historic program, took the opportunity to thank the team for the platform it provided throughout his career.
A shifting driver market
The driver market is reshaping itself as the 2027 season approaches, with teams already mapping out lineups that could redefine the competitive landscape. In a related development, 23XI Racing confirmed that Corey Heim will take over the third full-time entry, while Riley Herbst is slated to drive for Legacy Motor Club in the same year.
Berry currently sits 30th in the championship standings, but his résumé includes a victory at Las Vegas last spring and a string of solid performances that have lifted him to 15th place in the most recent race at Michigan, ending a seven-race stretch of finishes no better than 27th. This season he has logged two top-10 finishes across 15 starts, underscoring a steady upward trajectory despite a challenging start.
Wood Brothers Racing has said it will reveal the identity of the driver who eventually settles into the No. 21 car later this year, a decision that will shape the team's strategy moving forward. The move comes at a time when the organization is balancing legacy with fresh talent, seeking to blend experience with the energy of new drivers.
Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as the upcoming announcements unfold, knowing that each seat change ripples through sponsor relationships, crew dynamics, and the broader narrative of the sport.