“We’re all professionals”: Josh Berry comments on relationship with Harrison Burton after securing No. 21 ride for 2025

Josh Berry was asked about his relationship with Harrison Burton ahead of the Atlanta race and responded, "we’re all professionals." Berry, who currently drives for Stewart-Haas Racing, will be taking over Burton’s Wood Brothers Racing No. 21 Ford Mustang for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series.

Speaking with the media at the Atlanta Motor Speedway, Berry shared he hasn’t talked to Burton about driving the iconic No. 21 car next year. However, the 33-year-old congratulated the Wood Brothers Racing team for its Daytona win.

“Not specifically. Obviously, I reached out to all of those guys after the Daytona win and congratulated them, but we’re all professionals,” Berry said.

Berry stated there are no hard feelings with Burton, who currently doesn’t have a seat for 2025.

“We’ve all been doing this stuff a long time and there’s no awkwardness or hard feelings there,” Berry continued.

For now, SHR No.4 Ford driver Josh Berry is letting the Wood Brothers Racing team focus on the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs with Burton behind the wheel, saying:

"Obviously, I’m cheering for those guys. They’re in the playoffs. They’re focused. I’m staying out of everything they have going on. They’re focused on their playoff run these next few weeks and I’m gonna let them do their thing."

Wood Brothers Racing announced its driver lineup change a month before the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona where Harrison Burton held off Kyle Busch for the victory. That race weekend saw the oldest active team in NASCAR win its 100th race - which Josh Berry wished he had achieved.

“I would [have] loved to win the 100th race, but it was Harrison’s day and he capitalized and won, but it’s great for that program and the Wood Brothers that I’m gonna benefit from next year," Berry said.

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Josh Berry prepares for the last 10 races with Stewart-Haas Racing

Josh Berry will drive the No. 21 Ford next year - Source: Imagn

Josh Berry will be leaving Steward-Haas Racing after this season due to the team’s imminent closure, albeit co-owner Gene will retain one NASCAR Cup car under the reworked Haas Factory Team. Cole Custer will take over Haas’ No. 41 Ford Mustang next year.

The No. 4 Ford driver acknowledged the team needs to be more consistent to end the season with a bang.

“I think we just need to keep trying to be consistent. That’s all we’re lacking. It’s pretty apparent when we have the speed and we might find ourselves to the front, we pass cars, we get up there. I think for us we’re trying to add a little bit more consistency and enjoy these last 10 races together,” Berry said.

Josh Berry may be out of playoff contention but his teammate, Chase Briscoe, will be competing in the round of 16. Briscoe, who will drive Martin Truex Jr.’s No. 19 Toyota Camry at Joe Gibbs Racing next year, qualified for the playoffs after winning the last race of the regular season in Darlington.

The NASCAR Cup Series playoffs will begin in Atlanta this Sunday, with Josh Berry qualifying in P4 behind Ford drivers Michael McDowell (pole), Ryan Blaney, and Todd Gilliland.