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Charlotte, NC – As the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season approaches, driver Josh Berry of the iconic Wood Brothers Racing team is emphasizing a shift in focus from outright speed to consistent execution. While the 2025 season marked a significant milestone with Berry securing his maiden Cup Series victory for the storied No. 21 Ford, it also highlighted areas where performance failed to translate into desired results, leaving the team to ponder missed opportunities.
The previous season presented a dichotomy for Berry and the Wood Brothers. The team demonstrated flashes of brilliance, notably during the initial playoff rounds where they were among the fastest contenders. However, this speed was interspersed with a frustrating string of three consecutive last-place finishes, ultimately leading to an early playoff elimination. The Southern 500 playoff opener saw Berry’s race end prematurely on the first lap after an incident that sent him into the wall. The subsequent week at Gateway, a spin initiated by Chase Elliott while Berry was running near the front, followed by tire rubber buildup causing a fire at the Bristol Night Race, compounded the team’s struggles.
Despite these setbacks, the 2025 season undeniably showcased the potential of the partnership between Berry and the Wood Brothers. The victory itself was a significant achievement, a testament to the team’s capabilities and the driver’s talent. Looking ahead to the 2026 season, Berry expressed his enthusiasm and acknowledged the team’s self-assessment.
"I’m excited for it," Berry stated during a recent media availability. "I agree that there were a lot of positives in our performance last year. There were plenty of races where the finish didn’t indicate the type of day we had, so that’s been our focus is looking through some of that stuff and trying to figure out what we could do better and put ourselves in better positions to get the finishes we deserve."
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A key factor contributing to Berry’s optimism for the upcoming season is the continuity within the team. "This is really the first year since I’ve been in Cup or Xfinity that I’ve really had the same group two years in a row," he explained. "That made the off-season feel different since I’ve already been working with these guys and knowing them, and not establishing that communication, so I think that should be a positive as well and we’re ready to get to the Clash."
This stability is particularly crucial given the nature of the NASCAR Cup Series, where a well-oiled machine is essential for success. The Wood Brothers, with their rich history in the sport, have consistently provided competitive machinery, often drawing from the technical alliance with Team Penske. This strong foundation means that the focus for 2026 is less about discovering newfound speed and more about refining the operational aspects of their campaign.
"I think we sat down early in the offseason and kind of broke it down and looked at each race," Berry elaborated on the team’s strategy. "It’s a number of things. It’s issues on pit road. There were a couple of speeding penalties over the course of the year. Obviously, that stuff you have to clean up. Issues on pit road with penalties. Mechanical problems. We had a couple of those along the way."
Berry identified decision-making as a critical area for improvement. "I think the biggest thing is just looking at the decision-making towards getting to these races maybe is the biggest thing. I think you’re better off to take a top 10 than maybe put yourself in a bad spot that could result in it, but, honestly, the key to that is not something that I don’t think any of us really know. Obviously, you’ve got to go out and race hard and fight for every spot, and just kind of learning with experience and trying to make sure we get the finishes we deserve. But the biggest thing, I think, is just limiting your mistakes. Like I said, we had a handful of those over the course of the year and hopefully we can clean those up and get the finishes we should."
The emphasis on consistency is also underscored by the evolving playoff format. Unlike previous years where a single victory could guarantee a spot in the championship chase, the 2026 season will see the top 16 drivers in the points standings qualify for the playoffs at the end of the regular season. This shift necessitates a more robust and consistent performance throughout the season, rather than relying on sporadic wins.
"I think that obviously it’s a different format, but first time winners and first wins in this sport have always been something that are really popular and make for great stories," Berry commented on the changing landscape. "There’s no reason that the playoff format changing should change the feeling that you get from when you have a first-time winner or an underdog story type of deal – kind of like we were last year. Now it doesn’t include an automatic berth into the playoffs or the Chase, but it’s still a great story. There are going to be a lot of storylines evolve throughout the season and as that changes, relying on consistency a little bit more is probably going to put the best guys in the Chase at the end of the year. As a team, we feel a little more pressure going into this knowing that we’ve got to execute week in and week out and, to me, that’s not a bad thing."
The Wood Brothers, one of NASCAR’s most historic and respected organizations, will be looking to leverage their deep roots in the sport and their technical alliance with Team Penske to support Berry’s quest for a more consistent season. The team has a legacy of success, and their partnership with Berry represents a new chapter in their storied history. The ability to translate their raw speed into consistent top-10 and top-5 finishes will be the defining factor in their 2026 championship aspirations. By minimizing errors, optimizing pit road performance, and making sound strategic decisions, Josh Berry and the Wood Brothers aim to be championship contenders throughout the entire regular season, rather than just a playoff wildcard.
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