NASCAR silly season officially kicked into gear Wednesday when Josh Berry revealed that he will not return to Wood Brothers Racing’s No. 21 Ford after the 2026 season. Berry said he learned of the decision Tuesday, ending his tenure with one of the sport’s most historic organizations.
The announcement creates one of the most intriguing openings on next year’s Cup Series grid. The No. 21 remains closely aligned with Team Penske and has long been viewed as a desirable seat within the Ford camp, however, the speed has been lacking this season from the longtime manufacturer.
Berry admitted the news was disappointing, though not entirely unexpected after hearing rumors surrounding his future. The Tennessee native currently sits 30th in the Cup Series standings and has struggled to replicate the success he enjoyed during his first season with the team.
The timing is particularly noteworthy because Berry’s own future remains uncertain. While he earned a Cup Series victory at Las Vegas in 2025 and reached the playoffs, there is no obvious landing spot currently available for 2027.
For now, attention shifts to two major questions. Who will take over the legendary No. 21 Ford next season? And perhaps more importantly, where will Josh Berry go?
With a proven race winner suddenly entering the driver market and a Penske-affiliated seat becoming available, NASCAR’s driver carousel just got a lot more interesting.
