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Josh Berry Takes Advantage of Top Contenders Mistakes, Earns First Cup Win at Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 16: Josh Berry, driver of the #21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford, celebrates after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 16, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

The NASCAR Cup Series was all ready for the high-speed action of Las Vegas Motor Speedway. This race didn’t disappoint, as plenty was expected of the Hendrick Motorsports cars.  They had won four straight spring races at Las Vegas coming in, and this certainly seemed like a chance for a fifth in a row early on. Ford, however, got the last laugh, as Josh Berry took advantage of several pit road problems that plagued the field throughout the race to score his first career Cup win.

The Wood Brothers were able to find victory lane once again, for the 101st time in history. Josh Berry, who’s had a bumpy start to his Cup career, has certainly arrived now.

Josh Berry Takes Advantage of Top Contender’s Mistakes, Earns First Cup Win at Las Vegas

Michael McDowell put Spire Motorsports on the pole for this race for the first time in the organization’s history. That quickly went sour, as he faded quickly and out of contention. This seems to be a theme for Spire outside of Carson Hocevar this season. McDowell wasn’t the only comer and goer this weekend, as Ryan Blaney and the red-hot Christopher Bell had to start at the rear of the field.

This race was full of major issues, especially on pit road, as the sport’s biggest names were all busted for something. Whether it be speeding or not getting a tire lug tight. This race had plenty of drama on the pit lane, to say the least.

Struggles Continue for Big Names

Ryan Blaney’s issues this weekend started in practice as he got in the wall and had to start at the rear of the field. After racing his way up into the Top 20 during the first stanza of Sunday’s race, Blaney had some issues on his first green flag stop as his crew struggled to get things done. The slow stop cost him two laps.

It was only made worse moments later, as Chase Briscoe lost a wheel after his pit stop, which brought out the first yellow of the race. Brisoce’s tire situation started the race down a rough path when it came to pit road.

The yellow shook up the field. Some speed penalties did as well. Starting with Denny Hamlin, who was busted for speeding during his green flag stop. Hamlin’s penalty was topped during the yellow, as Kyle Busch looked like he was going to contend for the lead on the next restart, only to have to serve a penalty for speeding as well on his stop. The pit road police were out in full force in Las Vegas.

After those early issues, the rest of the first stage went green, and Austin Cindric was able to hold off the likes of Alex Bowman and Chase Elliott to capture the green and white checkered flag.

Stage two saw more pit road issues arise, as Alex Bowman had to pull in for a loose wheel, not to mention his teammate, Elliott, who was caught speeding on the stage break pitstop. It was pretty clear that making mistakes on the pitlane was going to cost everybody. While the favorites were having problems, Josh Berry was keeping his nose clean, much like he has been for the last several weeks.

Tighten Those Wheels, Please

Briscoe’s tire situation during stage one was huge, but Busch took the cake in stage two, as his tire completely flew off at a much higher speed. It became clear that pit crews were struggling this weekend to get the one lug tight. Busch’s mistakes in races continue to ruin good cars and runs. It’s crazy at this point.

 

When will he catch the right break? I’ve heard of bad luck, but what Busch’s has been through is a drought. He’s not alone as Ty Gibbs’ misery season continued with another finish outside the top 20. Though this was his best in his last nine races at least, finishing 22nd.

The second stage finished with the winner of the last two Pennzoil 400s, Kyle Larson, taking the green and white checkered flag.

Cautions Breed Cautions

With all the pit road issues, the third stage paved the way for some massive incidents. You know how I said the weekend wasn’t good for Blaney. Well it got ten times worse as he was caught up in a multi-car crash on Lap 194.

That wasn’t the final wreck, as fuel saving started to become the name of the game. That started to play into Team Penske’s hand with Joey Logano, with Josh Berry and Daniel Suarez also in the picture.

One final caution with 20 or so to go: bunch the field up one more time. Everyone came to the pit lane, and Berry and Suarez lucked out at the front. All four Hendrick cars were right around the Top 10, and William Byron certainly looked ready to strike.

Though Byron was making a charge, Ross Chastain blocked him as he tried to fight for the third spot. That was an issue in itself, but Josh Berry showed some strength that the Wood Brothers have been looking for decades now.

READ MORE: Harrison Burton Pulls Ultimate Upset, Gets 100th Win For Wood Brothers

Having a Last Name That Starts with a B is paying off so far in 2025

Josh passed Suarez with 16 laps left and didn’t look back as he cruised to his first career cup win. It also marked the just the second win for the Wood Brothers since 2017. It was also the team’s first win on a mile and track since Atlanta in 1993 with Morgan Shepherd. What Josh Berry proved is that he belongs and that WBR is back in business.

Not only that, but it’s certainly a good thing to have a last name that starts with a B, so far this season. Five races have run so far, and all have been won by a driver with a last name that starts with a B. That’s William Byron (Daytona), Christopher Bell (Atlanta, COTA, Phoenix), and now Josh Berry (Las Vegas). Congratulations on your first, Josh. Plenty more to come in your future, I’m sure.

READ NEXT: Justin Allgaier Shines Brightest in Xfinity Series at Las Vegas

Featured Image Credit: Chris Graythen, Getty Images. 3/16/2025

 

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