Josh Berry. Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

NASCAR playoff driver suffers detrimental crash in second race of postseason

By Samuel Stubbs | Last updated Sep 7, 2025 4:08 PM ET

Josh Berry is off to one of the worst starts ever for a NASCAR Cup Series playoff driver.

In the playoff opener at Darlington Raceway on Aug. 31, Berry's race didn't even last a single lap, as he spun on the exit of turn 2, incurring significant damage.

Berry finished the Southern 500 in 38th. He may suffer another last-place finish on Sunday at World Wide Technology Raceway.

On Lap 36 of Sunday's Enjoy Illinois 300, slight contact from Chase Elliott sent Berry spinning into the turn 2 wall. The damage on the No. 21 Wood Brothers Ford was significant, and Berry will likely finish Sunday's race in 36th.

Contact with Chase Elliott sends Josh Berry into the wall and brings the second caution of the day.

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— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) September 7, 2025

Josh Berry needs a win in regard to NASCAR playoff picture

In regard to the playoff picture, Berry is all but assured to be in a must-win position at Bristol Motor Speedway on Sept. 13. The Bristol Night Race is the Round of 16 elimination race in the Cup Series playoffs, and Berry will need to earn his second career Cup Series win if he wants to advance.

Berry is widely considered to be one of the best short-track racers in the Cup Series, and Bristol has been a solid venue for him early in his Cup Series career. In three Bristol starts, Berry has led 25 laps and has a pair of 12th-place finishes.

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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