Kevin Harvick's Happy Hour presented by NASCAR on FOX - Josh Berry Interview after his win at Las Vegas | VICTORY LAP

Episode Date: March 17, 2025

After securing his first NASCAR Cup Series victory at Las Vegas, Josh Berry sits down with Kevin Harvick for ‘Victory Lap’ about the emotions of the win, the journey that led him to this moment, and what it means for his future in the sport. Harvick and Berry break down the race, discuss the significance of the milestone, and share insights on the challenges and triumphs of making it at NASCAR’s highest level. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I've been so fortunate to have the success I've had in racing and get to know so many of these guys that I have so much respect for growing up that, you know, to be able to race in the Cup Series is such a privilege, but to become a winner in it is pretty amazing feeling. Welcome to Kevin Harvick's Happy Hour, presented by Echo Park Automotive and NASCAR on Fox. And this week, we have a first-time winner with Josh Berry in that number 20. Wood Brothers Ford Mustings. So this one for me is pretty personal being the replacement of the four car at Stewart Hoss Racing. Of course, everything falling apart. So he's well tested.

I can't wait to catch up with him after his first win. Well, Josh, welcome to the Victory Lab. And as I look at the weekend and everything that happened, I think a lot of people are surprised in you being in Victory Lane. But I think after you look at the first five weeks of the six, season, I don't think it would come to as a shock anymore with the way that you guys have run. Explain just everything, all the emotions and everything that you went through yesterday had to be just one of those surreal moments for you personally.

Yeah, that was awesome. But yeah, you know, I agree. You know, first off, you know, obviously we've had a really solid start to the year. I feel like, you know, even kicking off at the clash, you know, I feel like we've been in contention. for, you know, leading laps and up front in three out of the first five races, which I think is, you know, what you have to do in the Cup Series to give yourself an opportunity to win. And, you know, yesterday was, you know, obviously just a crazy race,

a lot of different strategies, a lot going on. And you just have to kind of keep yourself in the game. And, you know, I thought, honestly, when we had the issue on Pit Road, and we had to come back down and tighten the right front, And I thought, you know, it felt like really at that point that if we got back in the top 10, that would be a really solid day rebounding after that issue. But it kind of opened the door for the strategy that and how all that played out towards the end. So Miles called a great race.

You know, I told him after we had that issue on pit road, I was like, don't be afraid to be different here to give us, you know, give us an opportunity to get back up front. And we were able to do that and capitalize. So you go through all these scenarios with the nine cars. you know, a couple years ago, filling in for Chase. You go through, you know, the disaster at Stuart Haas Racing with walking into what you thought was going to be, we all thought was going to be a solid scenario as you go forward. And you wind up on this at the Woodbrothers. What's it been like with John and everybody from the team to have that support and have that system of everything that you have

now at the 21 car with everything that you've been through before over the last couple of years. I mean, that is just such a change in culture that it has to feel, and I think the results speak for it, but it has to feel so different than what you've been through the last couple years. Yeah, no, for sure. I think, you know, coming here, you know, really from when I first met with the Wood Brothers and those at Penske, you know, this definitely felt like the right opportunity for me. I felt like that, you know, when I was, you know, part of HMS for them, a couple races, and even, you know, prior to that, you know, being part of Josh Wise's deal and having the

structure and things going on, I thought was really good for me personally and really good for me as a driver. And stepping back into, you know, some of that here with the 21 car and Penske, I think, is just really allowed me to lean in on the organization a lot and their strengths and just kind of be a little better prepared going to the racetrack. And, you know, our cars have been really fast, too. And, I mean, I think that's a huge part of it. But, you know, I really feel like this is a great home for me.

And, you know, the woods are obviously just amazing people. And I've had such an impact on the sport. And they're so well respected and so well loved. in the industry that, you know, it's really special to get to drive their race car. And I'm just glad that, you know, we've hit the gate run like we have. And to win a race this early in the season is definitely exceeding our expectations. Yeah, I think when you look at the drivers who have driven and won in that 21 car, I mean, that's a pretty stout list to put your name next to.

But was there ever a moment yesterday where the emotions kind of overwhelmed you? I saw your wife out in the infield. First off, the best part is, it's like your crew was running out there to give you high fives, and the next thing you know, you drove off and they're like, what in the world just happened right here?

They're driving down the front straightway, doing your Polish victory laugh, and then the TV guys are telling them to keep coming towards the start, finish line. He'll come back. So that was pretty funny. Was there ever a moment where your emotions, like, overran with you, when you saw your wife or anything?

at that moment because I just, there's so many things from a driver's standpoint when you're, especially with your first win, being able to think about everything that you've done in the past and what's led to this moment of being your first cup win.

Yeah, I mean, it's an amazing feeling, you know, having those laps click off towards the end. And, you know, the biggest thing, I felt like I was thinking the last 10 laps probably was like just stay green, stay green, you know? I felt like I was in a really good place. We had a good gap.

felt like I was just managing my car and my gap and taking care of it the best I could. And finally, when you hear the white flag, when you take the white, I feel like that's when the emotions really set in because you're just like, man, as long as this car makes it around one more lap, we got this. And, you know, definitely, you know, definitely a lot of emotions there taking the checkered flag. And honestly, that's part of the reason why I celebrated like I did. that I wanted to take some time to just soak in the moment and just collect myself a little bit, right? Like, I felt like that, you know, I just wanted to take that time to kind of do the Polish victory lap, you know, get my helmet off, you know, obviously wave at the fans and everything, but just really just soak in that moment and collect my thoughts. And, you know, it's just a really special deal.

when in the cup races is pretty, pretty awesome, you know, so to get one, you know, this early end of the season is awesome. And, you know, you just even think back to when you were, you know, like me, I was a kid with die cast cars, you know, playing in the, you know, playing in the floor of my living room, watching the races, you know, and even, you know, I've been so fortunate to have the success I've had in racing and get to know so many of these guys that I have so much respect for growing up, that, you know, to be able to race in the Cup Series is such a privilege, but to become a winner in it is pretty amazing feeling. So the last question I have, you know, Dale's been, Dale Jr. has been just a huge supporter of everything that,

that you've done has put a lot of time and effort into helping every time that he has a chance to, you know, to help better your position or give you an opportunity or whatever, whatever that has been. Did he have any, like, uh, beer sitting down your front porch or, um, uh, show up at your house or, or anything? Because it wouldn't surprise me with, with, uh, the relationship that you guys have. No, he didn't. I did, uh, I did, uh, I did FaceTime him in Victory Lane. And awesome, um, we just, it was really brief, but man, you know, he was obviously really excited and, you know, um, I'm excited to get get to see him, you know, this week will be, we're going to do his, you know, the Dale Jr. download at some point. So I'm excited to get to see him in person. And yeah, I mean,

he's just been, you know, a tremendous supporter of mine, obviously. He's done so much for my career. But I feel like more now the last few years of going through, you know, really from, I would say, the fill-in role at HMS and going through the emotions of, that and then the emotions of everything at Stuart Haas and then now going to the Wood brothers. I mean, he's just been become a great friend of mine. And he's not against just calling me up and asking me how I'm doing and how I'm feeling and, you know, where my head's at. And, you know, I felt like we're closer than it ever now than even, you know, when I drove for him for years. So I know he's, he was really excited about yesterday.

Yeah, I texted him last night. And he was, He was pretty pumped up. So I'm happy for you. I'm happy for everything that you've been able to accomplish. And I hope you enjoy the week. And you guys are off to a great start to this season. So you're true proof to all those people out there that talk about all the money and all the things that it takes to go racing and you've got to have this and you've got to have that.

Josh Barry is true proof that hard work and determination can still win cup races and get the right opportunity. So congratulations. You have definitely earned this one, man. Yeah. Thanks.