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Josh Berry to Leave Wood Brothers Racing After 2026 Season

The team declined his 2027 contract option because of weak 2026 results, leaving a Ford-backed No. 21 seat that has already become a focal point of early 2027 driver-market talks.

Overview

  • Berry told reporters Wednesday, June 10 that he will not return to Wood Brothers in 2027 after the team confirmed it would not exercise his contract option.
  • He will continue to drive the No. 21 Ford through the rest of the 2026 season while the Wood Brothers say they will announce a replacement soon.
  • Berry said he learned of the decision less than 24 hours before the media call and called the news disappointing but not wholly surprising given the team’s results.
  • Coverage links the move to a difficult 2026 campaign for Berry, who sits about 30th in points with four DNFs and two top-10 finishes through 15 races.
  • Berry is working the free-agent market with representation from Kevin Harvick Inc., and the open, chartered No. 21 — with Ford and Team Penske ties — has generated early speculation about younger prospects such as Jesse Love and several other candidates.