CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – JANUARY 22: Josh Berry poses for a photo during NASCAR Production Days at Charlotte Convention Center on January 22, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
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In a world of surprises, Tuesday’s announcement from Legacy Motor Club wasn’t one of them.
The organization made official the news that had been spoken about out loud for weeks: Josh Berry will take his talents in the NASCAR Cup Series to Legacy starting in 2027.
The move comes after the organization, co-owned by seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson, and John Hunter Nemechek had a very unexpected falling out. Berry will replace Nemechek in the No. 42 Toyota next season.
Just days ago Riley Herbst was named to Legacy’s third car, the No. 84. It’s a car Legacy has entered for Johnson 16 times over the last three years, all with the team co-owner behind the wheel. But earlier this year, Johnson revealed that the organization would expand to a three-car operation in 2027.
With the official anointing of Berry, that three-car operation is now complete.
Berry joins Herbst and Erik Jones, who returns to the No. 43 Toyota.
“Josh is a proven competitor who has earned everything through hard work and getting his hands dirty,” said Johnson. “What stands out about Josh is his ability to manage the big picture behind the wheel — his experience, perspective and wisdom. His career has been built on that foundation, and I know he will have a meaningful impact here. We’re thrilled to have him at Legacy.”
Berry has been in a Legacy car before. In 2023, he was a go-to substitute for several teams, including Hendrick Motorsports, where he stepped in for Chase Elliott after Elliott broke his leg. He also filled in for Legacy when then-driver Noah Gragson was suspended.
So now Berry is returning to the team, only this time he won’t be borrowing someone else’s car, filling in until the regular driver comes back or wondering where he’ll be racing the following weekend.
This time, it’s his.
His name will be permanently etched above the driver’s side window.
“Legacy Motor Club is an organization that clearly has a vision for where they want to go, and I want to be part of that,” said Berry. “I’ve had a chance to see this team up close and I know what they’re capable of. The way Jimmie has built this place — the people, the culture, the direction — it’s exactly the kind of environment I want to compete in.”
The 35-year-old Tennessee native is a seasoned driver with a decidedly blue-collar background. Before establishing himself as a NASCAR driver, Berry spent time working as a bank teller while building his reputation racing late models at short tracks across America.
He eventually made his way to Stewart-Haas Racing before moving to the famed Wood Brothers, where he scored his first NASCAR Cup Series victory in 2025.
But the Wood Brothers decided to seek their fortunes elsewhere beginning next season, and just weeks ago revealed that Berry would be out at the end of the year.
Suddenly, the guy who had finally broken through and won his first Cup race was back on the job market.
A dejected Berry told the media recently that finding a new ride was “challenging,” due in large part to teams wanting a driver who could bring a source of funding along with him. He said one team had asked for $3 million.
That’s a rather unpleasant number to hear when you’re looking for a job.
Berry was, for a moment, a refugee of the NASCAR silly season, cast adrift and looking for somewhere to land.
But he is a refugee no more.
And perhaps the most interesting part of this story is what Berry has done since the Wood Brothers made their decision.
Over the past six races, Berry has posted six consecutive top-10 finishes.
That is a fairly effective way of updating the résumé.
Now he gets something considerably better than a phone call asking whether he can fill in for somebody this weekend. He gets a full-time Cup ride, a team expanding around him and an opportunity to help Legacy Motor Club take its next step.
The funny thing about NASCAR is that sometimes losing your ride turns out to be the best thing that could have happened to you.
For Berry, the search for a new home is over. In 2027, he won’t be the guy waiting for someone else’s opportunity.
He’ll have his own.
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