Wood Brothers confirmation makes Josh Berry a 2027 free agent

Josh Berry said he will not return to the No. 21 Wood Brothers Ford in 2027. Veteran reporter Bob Pockrass first posted the report on X; Wood Brothers initially offered no comment and later confirmed the charter-backed No. 21 Cup entry will have a different driver next year. Berry confirmed the move in a teleconference, saying he learned of the decision less than 24 hours earlier and was not completely surprised.

Berry, 35, joined Wood Brothers full time in 2025 and is in his second season with the team this season. He earned his first Cup Series victory in the 2025 spring race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and finished 16th in the 2025 standings after an early playoff exit. His average finish was 21st in 2025 and 26th so far this season; he is 30th in points through the first 15 races.

Earlier in his career Berry drove full time for Stewart‑Haas in 2024 and raced for JR Motorsports in 2021–22, where he notched two wins in 2021 and three in 2022, reached the 2022 Championship 4 and finished fourth in points that year.

The announcement makes Berry a free agent at the end of this season and has prompted speculation about his next destination and potential replacements for the No. 21 ride. Berry said he has no firm plans beyond this year, called himself “extremely fortunate” to have driven for Wood Brothers and said he remains open to available seats. He pushed back on suggestions his performance has declined, saying, “I’m still the same guy that won Las Vegas,” and noted he “nearly won New Hampshire in the playoffs.” The move has been framed as an early domino in NASCAR’s 2027 “silly season.”