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In a twist that left even his own team speechless, Josh Berry defied the odds to secure a jaw-dropping win at the 2025 Pennzoil 400 in Las Vegas—a victory that snapped Wood Brothers Racing’s eight-year winless streak on non-drafting tracks. The NASCAR Cup Series sophomore, once written off after a turbulent rookie season, delivered a masterclass in resilience, leaving crew chief Miles Stanley admitting, “I’m still surprised.” For a historic team craving redemption, Berry’s triumph wasn’t just a checkered flag—it was a bolt from the blue.
“No, honestly, I didn’t expect this” – Crew chief’s candid shock
Miles Stanley, the rookie crew chief for Wood Brothers’ iconic No. 21 Ford, had braced for a rebuilding year. Instead, he found himself orchestrating a fairytale. “Our car was strong when it mattered,” Stanley marveled post-race, referencing Josh Berry’s clutch surge during two critical late cautions. On Lap 195, Berry muscled past Kyle Larson, the Stage 2 dominator, before fending off Daniel Suarez in a nail-biting Lap 243 showdown.
For Stanley, a former Penske engineer thrust into his first leadership role, the win defied logic. Wood Brothers Racing, NASCAR’s oldest active team, hadn’t tasted non-drafting success since Ryan Blaney’s 2017 Pocono victory. Their storied history—highlighted by legends like David Pearson and modern flashes like Trevor Bayne’s 2011 Daytona 500 miracle—only amplified the weight of Berry’s breakthrough. “This wasn’t luck,” Stanley stressed. “We earned it.”
Josh Berry’s redemption arc: From “frightening” struggles to glory
Berry’s path to Victory Lane was anything but smooth. After Stewart-Haas Racing’s abrupt closure in 2024 left him scrambling for a seat, his transition to Wood Brothers felt like a last-chance saloon. A season marred by wrecks, penalties, and self-doubt had critics questioning his Cup Series viability. But Las Vegas rewrote the script.
The Tennessee native, a 21-time CARS Late Model Tour winner, channeled his grassroots grit. “I’m just so thankful to be here,” Berry said, his voice cracking. “To win for this team… it’s special.” His adaptability stunned Stanley, who praised Josh Berry’s knack for extracting speed from the Ford Mustang Dark Horse when it counted most.
A team reborn
Wood Brothers’ resurgence hinges on this moment. Since their 1960s heyday, the squad has battled relevance, clinging to fleeting wins by Sadler, Bayne, and Blaney. Berry’s victory—their first earned through pure pace since Pearson’s era—signals a potential renaissance. With Stanley’s engineering acumen and Berry’s renewed confidence, the No. 21 team suddenly looks like a dark horse in NASCAR’s new era.
As Stanley put it, “This changes everything.” For a team steeped in history but starving for relevance, Josh Berry’s Las Vegas miracle might just be the spark that reignites a dynasty.
