{
  "id": 683238,
  "title": "Josh Berry has momentum but no 2027 NASCAR contract yet",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/12/josh-berry-has-momentum-but-no-2027-nascar-contract-yet",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-12T17:27:22.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Motorsport.com",
    "slug": "motorsport-com",
    "url": "https://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/josh-berry-has-momentum-but-no-2027-nascar-contract-yet-/10845978/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Josh Berry, the short track success story turned O’Reilly Series championship contender and then Cup Series winner, is currently in a situation without a 2027 NASCAR contract. Despite finishing seventh and fourth place in the last two weeks, Berry remains optimistic about his career trajectory. He participated in a Ford Performance media call, where he mentioned that conversations about his future have been a mix of good and bad experiences. However, Wood Brothers Racing chose to hire Jesse Love, the defending O’Reilly Series champion, over Berry. Berry acknowledges that his recent car crashes, which have been out of character, are part of the unpredictable nature of racing. He firmly believes that his past successes, including top 10 and top 15 finishes, should carry weight in future opportunities. Berry also highlights the challenges of navigating the business model in NASCAR, including the need for funding and the difficulty of breaking into the top series without prior backing. If no opportunities arise, Berry considers the possibility of finding work in the CARS Tour or short track racing for his family's benefit. Ultimately, he remains focused on securing a spot in the top three NASCAR series for his career to continue.",
  "summary": "The last time Josh Berry participated in a Ford Performance media call, he broke his own news that he would not be returning to Wood Brothers Racing next season. On Tuesday, he participated in another one and conceded there was no news, frustratingly, in his pursuit of a job next season. Berry, the short track success story turned O’Reilly Series championship contender and then Cup Series ...…",
  "key_points": [
    "Josh Berry lacks a 2027 NASCAR contract despite recent success.",
    "Berry participated in Ford Performance media call discussing future prospects.",
    "Wood Brothers Racing hired Jesse Love over Berry for next season."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}