Wood Brothers, Josh Berry Eye Daytona 500 Turnaround

The iconic No. 21 Ford has struggled in NASCAR's biggest race in recent years.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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Neither the Wood Brothers nor driver Josh Berry have had much luck in the Daytona 500 in recent years, with the No. 21 Ford failing to finish the race in four of the last five renditions. However, Berry has shown speed at similar drafting tracks, and the team is hopeful their luck will turn around at the "Great American Race" on February 15.

Why it matters

The Daytona 500 is NASCAR's most prestigious event, and the Wood Brothers are one of the sport's most iconic teams. Their struggles in recent years have been noteworthy, and a strong performance from Berry could help turn things around for the team.

The details

In his two Daytona 500 starts, Berry has finishes of 25th and 37th. The No. 21 Ford has only finished one of the last five Daytona 500s, with Matt DiBenedetto, Harrison Burton, and Berry all failing to finish in recent years. The team's average finish in the last five Daytona 500s is just 34.8.

  • Josh Berry has made two previous Daytona 500 starts, in 2025 and 2026.
  • The Wood Brothers have struggled in the Daytona 500 over the last five years, from 2021 to 2025.
  • The 2026 Daytona 500 is scheduled for February 15.

The players

Josh Berry

The driver of the iconic No. 21 Ford for the Wood Brothers, entering his second season in the Cup Series.

Wood Brothers

One of NASCAR's most legendary teams, known for their success and innovation over the decades.

Jon Wood

The team president of the Wood Brothers, who has acknowledged their recent struggles at the Daytona 500.

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What they’re saying

“We've had really, really bad 500s for quite a few years. I don't remember being there for the finish of one. Typically, you crash and you leave. At some point, that luck's got to turn around and change.”

— Jon Wood, Team President, Wood Brothers (SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

“He has a lot of speed. We've spent a lot of time up front. Specifically Atlanta, he should've won that thing. He has a lot of speed. I don't know that he's got a lot of experience to fall back on with the Cup drivers.”

— Jon Wood, Team President, Wood Brothers (SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

What’s next

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