Stewart-Haas Racing's Closing Leaves Driver Josh Berry Racing for His Career

• In May, team owners Tony Stewart and Gene Haas announced they were closing the chartered, four-car Stewart-Haas Racing operation at season’s end.

• The move leaves the team's four drivers in limbo for 2025 and beyond.

• Drivers Josh Berry and Noah Gragson are in their first year with the team, while Chase Briscoe is in his fourth and Ryan Preece is in his second.

Josh Berry never expected to be a free agent just a year after being named to replace the retiring Kevin Harvick at Stewart-Haas Racing, but even if he had known the future, he still would have accepted the position.

“Obviously, I’m racing for my career again like I’ve done countless times,” the 33-year-old Berry said. “As bad as it might look from the outside, it’s really been a great situation. The (No.) 4 team, and Rodney (Childers, crew chief), and the culture they’ve created is second to none. Without a doubt, I would do it over again even if I knew this was all coming. I wouldn’t second guess that move one bit. I fit their culture.”

In May, team owners Tony Stewart and Gene Haas announced they were closing the chartered, four-car operation at season’s end. Stewart told everyone of the decision in person. Berry said the drivers were informed about 90 minutes before the entire company was told.

Berry and Noah Gragson are in their first year with the team, while Chase Briscoe is in his fourth and Ryan Preece is in his second.

Berry, who is currently 20th in the points standings and without a win that would all but guarantee him a spot in the Cup Playoffs, said the team’s employees possessed an inkling that something was afoot with the organization’s future for several months prior to the announcement due to rumors in the industry.

“I think probably a couple of weeks out from the announcement we had a pretty good idea that it was going away completely,” Berry said. “Probably, the most emotional I got was our meeting with … the (No.) 4 guys (that Rodney called after the main meeting).”

The situation has placed Berry in familiar territory. When he drove a limited schedule in NASCAR’s Xfinity Series for JR Motorsports in 2021, he and Dale Earnhardt Jr. knew they wanted a full season together the next year, but it all hinged on sponsorship. Berry equated the anxiety he felt then to his current emotions, and just like then, Earnhardt is there for him as he navigates this disappointment.

Last year, when Berry substituted at Hendrick Motorsports for the injured Chase Elliott and Alex Bowman, Earnhardt called him at least twice a week to check on him. He said the telephone calls had resumed, and even Earnhardt was “shocked” that his friend and former driver was once again in this situation.

Berry realizes it will take time for him to figure out his next racing move. However, this time Berry has more to offer as he and the veteran Childers hope to move to another race team together, along with their current crew.

“If that’s going to be possible, has yet to be seen,” said Berry, who recorded one top five and two top-10 finishes in May. “I think internally that’s our goal. We’re going to race together ‘til the end, but we’re gonna do everything we can to keep racing together.

“Rodney’s been a huge advocate of mine. I feel like he completely bought into me and made me more confident than I’ve ever been. No matter what happens to me, I’m going to be the No. 1 advocate for him … because he is hands down one of the best that I’ve ever worked with and will probably ever work with.”

Berry believes maintaining personnel at the race shop will be an issue as people begin their job search.

“I don’t know the ins-and-outs of all the deals, but I know Stewart-Haas is working really hard to do everything they can to make it right for the employees that stay and reward those that stay, and, obviously, aid in finding them new positions for 2025,” Berry said.