A New Chapter for a storied organization
Wood Brothers Racing, the oldest continuously operating team in NASCAR’s premier division, announced that Jesse Love will pilot the No. 21 Ford beginning in the 2027 season. The move replaces Josh Berry, who departs after a single playoff appearance and a modest run of results this year.
Love arrives with a résumé that includes an ARCA championship in 2023, an O’Reilly Auto Parts Series title in 2025 and a Rookie of the Year award in 2024. The Californian has already logged ten top‑ten finishes in seventeen O’Reilly starts this year and finished 24th in his best Cup Series outing at the 2025 Brickyard 400.
A charter and a legacy
The Wood Brothers organization holds one of NASCAR’s limited charters, guaranteeing a spot in every Cup race despite a sparse win record since 2011. Their most recent victories came at Pocono in 2017 with Ryan Blaney and at Daytona in 2024 with Harrison Burton. The team’s history stretches back to 1950, when founder Glen Wood fielded cars for drivers such as David Pearson and Cale Yarborough.
Love’s ascent also reshapes the offseason market. With Kyle Busch’s death, the seat at Richard Childress Racing opened, and Love was considered a top candidate. Instead, Austin Hill has been confirmed to drive the No. 33 Chevrolet for the remainder of the current season, while 23XI Racing prepares Corey Heim for a 2027 debut.
The coming year will feature at least two rookies in the Cup field, including Love and Heim, while RFK Racing has secured Chris Buescher through the next cycle. Meanwhile, Berry and Riley Herbst remain the only full‑time drivers without confirmed rides for 2027.