Ryan Blaney Praises Josh Berry’s Resilience After Near-Win Redemption

Last year, Josh Berry’s New Hampshire run was the kind of performance that made fans sit up and take notice. Starting 10th, Berry faced a brutal early setback when contact with Shane van Gisbergen spun him back in the second stage, threatening to derail his day entirely. But if there’s one thing Berry has in spades, it’s resilience. He methodically worked his way back through the field, carving overtakes and holding his nerve in high-pressure moments to ultimately finish a hard-earned 3rd.

This year, Josh Berry delivered a similar performance, which not only earned him praise from his team and fans but also highlighted his growth as a driver capable of battling adversity and staying competitive under pressure. Ryan Blaney, the race winner with whom he battled till the end to win, was quick to recognize Berry’s grit, noting how the driver bounced back from earlier misfortunes to challenge for the win.

Blaney applauds Josh Berry’s grit

Ryan Blaney sympathized deeply with Josh Berry and his team following their tough start in the 2025 NASCAR playoffs, saying, “I felt so bad for those guys that first round. Everything that could go wrong went wrong.” Berry endured three consecutive last-place finishes at Darlington, Gateway, and Bristol, which severely handicapped his playoff standing and eventually led to his elimination from championship contention.

However, Berry rebounded impressively at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, where he started third and overcame an early spin caused by contact with Shane van Gisbergen on Lap 82. Blaney noted, “They showed what they’re capable of Sunday. Drove through the field to get back to second, content for the win,” expressing his admiration. Despite a tire disadvantage late in the race, Berry’s determination saw him lead laps and fight closely with Ryan Blaney, nearly stealing the victory.

This performance was much-needed for Berry, who was struggling in the standings after those early failures. Blaney added, “They needed that really bad,” emphasizing how the strong New Hampshire run brought renewed hope and confidence for the Wood Brothers Racing driver.

Berry’s resilience after a challenging start to the playoffs underscored his talent and grit. Though eliminated from championship contention, Berry’s near-win at New Hampshire was a statement of his potential to compete at the highest levels. His progress also earned recognition from peers like Blaney, showing that while playoff glory eluded him this season, Berry remains a formidable competitor with a promising future.

Josh Berry keeps it clean

Josh Berry nearly stole the spotlight at New Hampshire, giving Ryan Blaney all he could handle in the closing laps. Starting third and finishing runner-up, the Wood Brothers Racing driver had to battle through plenty of drama to get there. After holding strong in Stage 1, his day nearly unraveled in Stage 2 when Shane van Gisbergen spun him on a Lap 82 restart.

For most, that’s game over. But for Berry, it was just another challenge to claw back from. The No. 21 crew went to work, and Berry kept grinding. As the laps wound down, he was right there with the Penske teammates, Blaney and Joey Logano, even showing a faster pace at times. When Cody Ware spun with 45 laps to go, the race flipped.

While most pit crews bolted on fresh tires, crew chief Myles Stanley gambled and kept Berry out front. Suddenly, it was all on him. On the restart, Blaney powered into second and then slipped by with 39 to go. Berry wasn’t done, though. He chased him right back down, closing within a car length before a small slip in Turn 3 sealed the deal.

“I was going to race him, but you’ve got to take care of him, right?” Berry explained. “I try to race smart and clean. These restarts get crazy, but I wanted to give it everything I had without crossing the line.” It was a duel defined by respect, especially compared to what unfolded at Joe Gibbs Racing.

While Berry and Blaney battled hard but clean, Ty Gibbs and Denny Hamlin tangled when Hamlin tagged Gibbs’ left rear, wrecking the No. 54 and sparking post-race tension. “I don’t think we’re on the same page. What I’ve heard is that if you’re a non-playoff car, any break that you can cut your teammates, please do,” Hamlin said on his Actions Detrimental podcast.

Similarly, Ty Gibbs reshared Kevin Harvick’s podcast clip on his Instagram story, wherein Harvick says, “As mature as Denny Hamlin has become and as much of a leader as he has become, I’m really surprised that he chose that action in that moment during the playoffs,” indicating he believes Hamlin to be the one in the wrong here.

Two teams, two very different stories: one built on trust, the other on turmoil. When it comes to such high-stakes situations, these moments define the true culture and character of each team.