Berry returns to Late Model Roots for Thanksgiving classic After Breakthrough NASCAR Cup Series Season
Rockingham, NC – NASCAR Cup Series race winner Josh Berry is switching gears this weekend, returning to Late Model Stock competition for the 25th Annual Thanksgiving Classic at Southern National Motorsports Park. berry will pilot the No. 21 entry for Tom Usry Racing in the 250-lap feature on Sunday, November 30, following Saturday’s qualifying.
The event marks a return to familiar territory for Berry, a two-time Thanksgiving Classic champion, having won the race in both 2021 and 2022.”It’s fun,” Berry said. “I’ve obviously had a busy year and it’s the first possibility I’ve had to race a Late Model Stock this year, obviously. It’s always fun to come back hear and race. I’ve won this race a couple times, had some success here, and it’s a fun one to come race. I really enjoy racing with these guys, Kenneth and everybody at Tom Usry Racing.”
Berry’s 2024 season saw him initially join Stewart-Haas racing to replace the retired Kevin Harvick, before ultimately landing with the legendary Wood Brothers Racing team. He secured his first NASCAR Cup Series victory in the fifth race of the 2025 season. “It’s such a big deal winning in the Cup Series man,” berry explained.”It’s such a journey to get there, and to accomplish that was really huge. Honestly, had a lot of good runs throughout the season as well.We’re excited to keep the same group,go back and have a year under our belt and hopefully we can find our way back to victory lane.”
Prior to his full-time Cup Series ride, Berry competed in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (formerly Xfinity Series) for JR motorsports, building on a foundation established in Late Model racing with the same team.
Despite cooler temperatures in the mid-40s during Friday’s practice – approximately 20 degrees cooler than expected race day conditions – Berry anticipates minimal impact on the car’s setup. “I don’t know that it will change too much,” he stated. “It’s something we’ve fought, done here with the schedule…Once we get going, I feel like it will be pretty normal. We just need to have a good car. It’s a long race Sunday, so we need to have a good balance and make sure it hangs on the long run.”
