Leader of NASCAR race at Texas crashes trying to pass lapped car

NASCAR Cup Series driver Josh Berry (21) is introduced before the start of the Wurth 400 race at Texas Motor Speedway. Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Watch: Leader of NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas crashes trying to pass lapped car

By Samuel Stubbs | Last updated May 4, 2025 5:21 PM ET

What was a dream race for Josh Berry and the No. 21 Wood Brothers team at Texas Motor Speedway turned into a nightmare in just one corner Sunday.

Berry had led from Lap 84 to Lap 124, but as he was trying to maneuver around the lapped car of Cody Ware on Lap 125, the No. 21 snapped loose and spun before making heavy contact with the outside wall with the left-rear.

The leader spins! @joshberry goes around and hits the outside wall! pic.twitter.com/fxXrHhW1YG
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) May 4, 2025

The crash handed the lead over to Kyle Larson and forced Berry to pit road for repairs. In all likelihood, Berry and the No. 21 are out of contention for the race win.

Berry won the March 16 race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and is locked into the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.

In addition to taking out one of the fastest cars, the crash also changed strategy, as impending green-flag pit stops were able to instead be made under yellow flag conditions.

Samuel Stubbs

Hailing from the same neck of the woods as NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin, Samuel has been covering NASCAR for Yardbarker since February 2024. He has been a member of the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) since October of 2024. When he’s not writing about racing, Samuel covers Arkansas Razorback basketball for Yardbarker

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