Josh Berry opens up on Tony Stewart-led SHR's closure after 2024: "It's unusual, but everybody's done a great job sticking together"

Josh Berry has opened up about Stewart-Haas Racing's closure and how the team members reacted to the decision. He has also discussed the change in atmosphere within the team in the months following Tony Stewart's announcement.

In May, the co-owners of Stewart-Haas Racing announced their decision to shut down the team at the end of the season. Gene Haas later revealed that he would retain a single charter and continue the two-car Xfinity program. The decision impacted the livelihoods of over 300 employees, with the rebranded Haas Factory team expected to retain around 100 of them.

In a recent interview with Davey Segal, Josh Berry mentioned that he and the #4 SHR team performed at their best when put under pressure after the announcement until securing his next ride with Wood Brothers Racing. He said:

"Once we actually knew what was going on, that we needed to look for jobs basically, that was when I felt the best all season. We probably had our best results whenever we were going through that process."

Berry acknowledged that the atmosphere within the team has changed, with just nine races remaining in the season. The 33-year-old noted that the finality of their time together is sinking in, but the team remains determined and is pushing hard during the final stretch of the season.

"Now we are at a different point to that. Obviously with me going to the Wood Brothers, Rodney going to Spire. The crew guys are finding work and everybody's kind of going different ways. Now the finality of everything is set in, you're kind of taking it week by week. Trying to enjoy everything as much as you can."

"It's definitely a different feeling... It's unusual, but everybody's done a great job sticking together but we're all going to go our different ways pretty soon."

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Josh Berry ranks NASCAR road courses ahead of Watkins Glen visit

Ahead of the second Cup Series playoff race at Watkins Glen International, Josh Berry ranked the road courses based on their difficulty. The short-track ace admitted he needs some time to adjust to right-hand turns. He feels most comfortable at Watkins Glen but finds COTA to be the most challenging.

"Watkins Glen is a really fast road course and one that most people have experience at in some level of competition, so it's one where, for me, you feel more comfortable heading to." the #4 SHR driver was quoted by Speedwaydigest.com.

"COTA is hard for me and that ranks, in my opinion, the hardest one we go to. But all of them are tough just coming from a short-track background and not making a ton of laps turning left and right. There is going to be an adjustment period for a while for me and I understand that."

Josh Berry has failed to finish inside the top 30 in road courses and street circuits this season. He lines up 31st at the Glen this weekend, aiming to improve his record.