A New Driver for a storied team
Wood Brothers Racing announced that Jesse Love will replace Josh Berry in the No. 21 Ford Mustang for the 2027 NASCAR Cup season, marking a generational shift for the historic organization.
Love, a 21‑year‑old from Tennessee, captured the 2025 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series championship and sits second in the 2026 standings, showcasing the rapid rise that earned him the opportunity.
His limited Cup experience includes two starts in 2026 for Richard Childress Racing at Circuit of the Americas and Talladega, where he finished 27th both times, and a best finish of 24th at the 2025 Brickyard 400.
Berry’s departure and career highlights
Berry, a native of Hendersonville, Tennessee, joined Wood Brothers in 2025 after a stint at Stewart‑Haas Racing, but revealed on June 10 that he will not continue with the team beyond the 2026 season.
Despite a modest 2026 campaign that yielded only five top‑20 finishes, Berry’s best results included a ninth‑place at the Daytona 500 and top‑10 finishes at Martinsville and Michigan.
The transition reflects Wood Brothers’ strategy to infuse fresh talent while leveraging its long‑standing partnership with Ford Racing, a collaboration that has defined the team’s recent performance.