Wood Brothers Racing enters the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season in a strong position, riding momentum that has been years in the making. The historic organization is coming off back-to-back seasons with a victory and is now firmly reestablished as a competitive presence in the Cup garage. With Josh Berry returning in the iconic No. 21 Ford, expectations are no longer about survival or rebuilding. They are about consistency and making noise when it matters most.

Berry delivered a major breakthrough in 2025, earning his first career Cup Series win at Las Vegas in just his fifth start with the team. That victory locked the No. 21 into the playoffs and continued a resurgence that began with Harrison Burton’s Daytona win in 2024. After a long stretch without wins, Wood Brothers Racing has now shown it can compete with the sport’s top teams on a regular basis. That confidence carries directly into the 2026 season.

While Berry’s playoff run ended in frustration, the overall picture remains positive. Crashes and mechanical issues derailed his postseason early, but those setbacks also serve as motivation. Outside of the playoffs, Berry showed steady growth, leading over 200 laps and nearly earning a second win at New Hampshire. A strong finish in the season finale at Phoenix helped restore momentum and belief heading into the offseason.

Looking ahead, Berry enters his third full-time Cup season with valuable experience and rising expectations. At 35 years old, he is approaching the prime of his career and continues to show improvement on a wide range of tracks. With stability on the pit box and growing chemistry within the team, Wood Brothers Racing has the tools to take another step forward. A deeper playoff run and another trip to Victory Lane are realistic goals as the No. 21 team looks to honor its legacy with continued success.