LAS VEGAS – Josh Berry made history on Sunday, March 16, 2025, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway by clinching his first NASCAR Cup Series victory, marking the 101st win for the iconic Wood Brothers Racing team. Berry’s extraordinary performance witnessed him passing Daniel Suarez during the final laps to capture the checkered flag, successfully ending Christopher Bell’s triumphant three-race streak.
"Oh, man, I don’t even know what to think. Just awesome," Berry exclaimed after his victory lap. He reflected on his history at the Las Vegas track, where he has previously secured two victories in the lower-tier Xfinity Series. "I love this track. Las Vegas has been so good to me. So many great moments here. We just battled and battled and battled. Man, it was our day. I just can’t believe it," he remarked, celebrating his success.
The race was not without its challenges. Berry found himself faced with significant adversity earlier on when his team failed to get a wheel properly tightened during one of the pit stops, putting his car at risk of losing control. "I mean, it was obviously disappointing, but thankfully the wheel stayed on, and we were able to make it to pit road before Miles was gonna get a vacation," Berry commented, alluding to his pit crew chief, Miles Stanley. "It just broke up the race. There was a lot of strategy going on and we were able to capitalize on it. We had to fight for the win."
With just 67 laps remaining, Stanley made the strategic decision to keep Berry on the track instead of pitting when others chose to do so. "At this point, we still don’t know what cautions are going to fall. I felt like the best strategy for us at this time was to put ourselves as far forward as we could. That was by staying out," Stanley explained.
When the green flag waved for the final restart with 19 laps to go, Berry wrestled for the lead against Suarez before taking command on lap 252 of the 267-lap race, pulling away to finish 1.3 seconds ahead of the runner-up. This victory is particularly meaningful for Berry as it came during his second full season driving the No. 21 car for the Wood Brothers, after having signed with the team during the winter break for the 2025 season.
Having made his series debut back in 2021, Berry’s road to success has been filled with perseverance. He spent the last few years racing under different teams and securing podium finishes, including with Hendrick Motorsports, before finally joining Wood Brothers Racing. "It’s just been incredible. They’ve been so good to me," Berry said, expressing gratitude to his team and crew chief. "I can’t say enough for Miles Stanley. He is so good at what he’s doing. We have a great thing going on together. He really believes in me."
Daniel Suarez crossed the finish line second and expressed his pride for his Trackhouse Racing team, commenting on how his car was lower than the track's surface, which affected his performance as he tried to maintain speed through the turns. "I am very proud of my Trackhouse team. We did everything we could to be there at the end. We just needed to be slightly faster," he noted, adding, "I was just having too much contact with the ground going through Turn 1 and 2. That’s when he got to me."
Ryan Preece enjoyed his best finish of the season by claiming third place, followed by William Byron and Ross Chastain, who secured fourth and fifth, respectively. Byron's race was strong, and he was involved in some intense battles for positioning. The race featured noteworthy caution flags, including one triggered when Kyle Busch encountered issues with his car after leading early, resulting from both speed penalties and loose wheels.
Christopher Bell, who was seeking to make history with four consecutive wins, found himself starting at the back due to unapproved adjustments to his car before the race. He worked his way through the field but ended up finishing 12th after confronting loose wheel woes. "Our penalty was frustrating but avoiding losing the wheel out there was key," Bell commented. His team had to tighten the wheel outside of the designated box as part of their strategy, leading to another light penalty.
The Pennzoil 400 race is being remembered not only for Berry's historic victory but also for the unexpected pit road incidents experienced by several competitors, including Chase Briscoe, who lost his wheel early on, and Kyle Larson, who led for the most laps yet only finished ninth.
Records were broken during this event, with the race marking 32 lead changes, surpassing the prior record of 27. The NASCAR Cup Series now shifts focus as they prepare for the next race scheduled for March 23, 2025, at Homestead-Miami Speedway, where Tyler Reddick is set to defend his title.
Berry’s inspiring performance and the victory at Las Vegas highlight how fast things can turn around for drivers and teams, especially when they battle through difficulties and stay determined. The Wood Brothers continue their legacy within the sport, and Berry's win is sure to capture the hearts of many as he continues his NASCAR career.