JR Motorsports announced Monday that Josh Berry will compete full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series next season, taking the wheel of the organization’s No. 8 Chevrolet.
Berry, last year’s NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series national champion, has made 16 Xfinity Series starts on a part-time basis this season — 13 for JRM and three for Jordan Anderson Racing. The 30-year-old driver notched an emotional breakthrough victory in April at Martinsville Speedway.
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“This moment is something we’ve been working toward for a long time,” said team owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. in a JRM release. “Josh took full advantage of the opportunity he had this year in the No. 8 car. He went out, raced hard, and earned every bit of this. With all he’s accomplished on a limited schedule, I can’t wait to see what he can do in this series full time.”
Sponsorship details for the No. 8 Chevrolet “will be announced in the coming weeks,” according to the team. Tire Pros, Chevrolet Accessories, Filter Time and iRacing have been among the No. 8 entry’s backers this season.
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Berry had made a total of seven Xfinity Series starts from 2014-17 before landing this year’s opportunity. He is sharing seat time in the No. 8 Chevy this season with 18-year-old Sam Mayer (six starts so far in 2021) and veteran Miguel Paludo (three starts).
Berry is an 11-year vet of JR Motorsports’ long-running short track program, notching 89 Late Model wins and multiple titles at the local track and regional touring series level.
“It’s difficult to put into words what this means,” Berry said. “I’m just a local short track racer, so saying this is a dream come true seems like an understatement. I’m so grateful to Dale, Kelley, L.W. (Miller) and everyone at JR Motorsports. They have always believed in me. This is the opportunity of a lifetime, and I’m ready and focused on 2022.”