A shifting driver market
Josh Berry will not return to Wood Brothers Racing in 2027, leaving the No. 21 car open for a new driver. Berry's recent performance has been modest, with only one top‑five and seven top‑10 finishes in his last 36 Cup Series races, placing him 35th in average finishing position and a top‑20 finish in just 36.1 percent of those events.
Enter Jesse Love, a rising NASCAR prospect who currently sits second in the O’Reilly Series points standings with six top‑fives and ten top‑10 finishes. Love's future with Richard Childress Racing is unclear due to sponsorship requirements, but analysts view him as the leading candidate to take over the No. 21 seat.
Another name making the rounds is Austin Hill, who is expected to race full‑time in the No. 33 for Richard Childress Racing next season, further deepening the driver market reshuffle.
Implications for Wood Brothers Racing
Wood Brothers Racing now faces the challenge of filling a historic seat with a driver who can revive its competitive edge. The team will likely prioritize a driver who can deliver consistent top‑10 results while attracting fresh sponsorship, a combination that could reshape the organization’s direction.