Hey everyone, Bryan here! And wow, what a race we just witnessed at Las Vegas Motor Speedway! The Pennzoil 400 had everything you could ask for—thrilling lead changes, intense battles, and a first-time Cup Series winner who just etched his name into the history books.
That’s right, folks—Josh Berry is now a NASCAR Cup Series winner! Driving the legendary #21 Ford for Wood Brothers Racing, Berry pulled off an incredible performance to secure his first career victory in one of the most competitive races we’ve seen all season. And if you don’t think that’s a big deal, just ask Matt DiBenedetto how hard it is to win in that car.
Let’s break it all down—the highs, the lows, and how Berry cashed in big time under the bright lights of Las Vegas.
How Josh Berry Scored His First Cup Series Victory
If you had told me before the Pennzoil 400 that Josh Berry would be celebrating his first NASCAR Cup Series win, I probably would’ve chuckled and said, “Man, that’d be a great story.” Well, guess what? That story just became reality.
Berry’s road to Victory Lane wasn’t easy, and that’s what makes this win so special. He wasn’t in the fastest car all day, he didn’t dominate, and he had to outduel some of the sport’s biggest names to get there. But when it mattered most, he and his team executed to perfection.
Stage 1: Surviving the Chaos
The race started off with Austin Cindric leading the charge, looking fast right out of the gate. Cindric had clean air and controlled the first run, eventually winning Stage 1.
Meanwhile, Berry was hanging inside the top 15, feeling out his car and adjusting to Las Vegas’ long-run handling. Unlike the guys up front, he wasn’t burning up his tires early—something that would help him later in the race.
Stage 2: Making Moves
By Stage 2, Kyle Larson had taken control of the race, looking every bit like the favorite to win. Berry, however, was starting to find his rhythm. He made steady gains on restarts, passed a few big names, and by the time Stage 2 ended, he was flirting with the top 10.
At this point, no one was looking at Berry as a serious contender, but that’s the thing about racing in Vegas—it’s all about playing your cards right and timing your moves perfectly.
Final Stage: Pit Strategy and the Race-Winning Move
This is where Berry and his team really shined.
With about 30 laps to go, a late-race caution changed everything. Some teams took two tires, some gambled on fuel mileage, and others played it safe with four fresh tires. Berry’s crew chief made the perfect call—four fresh tires, quick pit work, and just enough fuel to make it home.
That pit stop was everything. Berry came out ahead of Daniel Suárez, giving him control of the restart.
When the green flag dropped, Suárez gave Berry all he could handle. For several laps, they ran side-by-side, battling for the lead. Berry held his line, blocked where he needed to, and kept his car clean—something that’s easier said than done at a track like Vegas.
The final restart with under 10 laps to go gave Berry the edge he needed. He launched off the line, kept Suárez behind him, and with one final charge from behind, he held off the field to take the checkered flag.
Why This Win Matters So Much
Josh Berry wasn’t supposed to be here. He’s not a superstar with a multi-million dollar sponsor. He doesn’t have years of Cup experience like some of the guys he beat. But what he does have is grit, determination, and a whole lot of talent.
This is a huge win, not just for Berry but for Wood Brothers Racing, who hadn’t won since 2017. The #21 car is iconic in NASCAR history, and now, Berry has his name added to its legendary list of winners.
He proved he belongs. He showed that he can compete with the best in the sport and win on one of NASCAR’s toughest tracks.
And best of all? This win locks him into the Playoffs.
So, yeah—Josh Berry just changed his entire career with this win. And something tells me it won’t be his last.
Biggest Storylines from the Race
The Pennzoil 400 was a race packed with drama, surprises, and some good old-fashioned Vegas unpredictability. From record-breaking lead changes to streaks being snapped, this race had something for everyone. Let’s break down the biggest storylines from Sunday’s wild showdown at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Christopher Bell’s Winning Streak Comes to an End
Christopher Bell came into Vegas as the hottest driver in the sport. Three straight wins. A dominant stretch where it seemed like no one could stop him. But Las Vegas had other plans.
Bell started the race deep in the field after a disappointing qualifying session, and while he managed to climb into the top 10 at times, he never looked like a real contender for the win. For the first time in a month, he just didn’t have a race-winning car.
- He struggled with handling in traffic and wasn’t able to work his way to the front as easily as he had in previous races.
- Pit strategy didn’t fall his way, and late-race restarts put him in the wrong place at the wrong time.
- In the end, he finished P12, a far cry from his previous dominant performances.
The question now is: Was this just a bad week, or has the rest of the field figured out how to catch up to Bell?
Was This the Most Competitive Vegas Race Ever?
One thing is for sure—this race was a free-for-all.
- 32 lead changes – That’s a new track record for Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
- 9 cautions for 53 laps – Late-race yellows kept shaking up strategy and giving new drivers a chance to win.
- 15 different drivers led at least one lap – This wasn’t just a battle between the top teams; it was wide open all day long.
This race had everything we love about NASCAR—fast cars, aggressive racing, and no clear favorite until the very end.
The way this race played out proves that intermediate tracks can still produce fantastic racing when the conditions are right. And let’s be real—Vegas always delivers!
Late-Race Cautions Flip the Script
If you were watching the race with 20 laps to go, you probably thought Daniel Suárez had this thing in the bag. He had the fastest car in clean air, and his pit strategy was working to perfection.
Then… BOOM. Caution.
A late-race incident shuffled the entire field, and suddenly, it was anyone’s race. Here’s how it went down:
Caution with 18 to go – Mid-pack contact sends a car spinning, triggering a game-changing yellow flag.
Different strategies emerge – Some teams took two tires, some went for four fresh ones, and others stayed out hoping to steal track position.
Final restart shakes things up – Berry capitalized on fresh tires, got a perfect launch, and never looked back.
This is what makes NASCAR racing so exciting. One moment, you’re cruising to victory. The next? You’re stuck in traffic, watching the trophy slip away.
Daniel Suárez Falls Just Short Again
Man, you’ve gotta feel for Daniel Suárez. He’s been so close to winning multiple times this season, and once again, he came up just short.
- He had one of the fastest cars on the long run, and before that late caution, it looked like he was on his way to Victory Lane.
- But the timing of that yellow ruined his strategy, forcing him to restart in second place—which is the worst place to be at Vegas on a late restart.
- Berry got the better launch, and Suárez never got the chance to challenge him again.
That’s now two second-place finishes in four races for Suárez. The good news? He’s running at a championship level right now. The bad news? He hasn’t sealed the deal yet. But if he keeps this up, his first win of 2025 is coming.
Wood Brothers Racing Back in Victory Lane
Josh Berry’s win wasn’t just huge for him—it was massive for Wood Brothers Racing.
- The iconic #21 team had been winless since 2017.
- This is their 101st Cup Series victory, adding to their rich history.
- They are now one of the oldest teams to win in the Next Gen era, proving that they can still compete with the big boys.
It was an emotional moment seeing Leonard Wood and the entire Wood Brothers team celebrating on pit road. This team has been part of NASCAR history since the beginning, and now, they have a new chapter to add.
The big question now is: Can Berry keep this momentum going and put the #21 back in Playoff contention?
The Post-Race Soundbites
Josh Berry (Race Winner):
“I never thought I’d be here. To get my first Cup win with the Wood Brothers—it’s unbelievable. We worked hard all day, made the right adjustments, and my guys absolutely nailed that final pit stop. This is a dream come true.”
Daniel Suárez (Runner-Up):
“Man, we were so close again. The car was great, the strategy was great… but that late caution just killed us. We’re right there, and I know a win is coming.”
Christopher Bell (P12, Ended Winning Streak):
“We just didn’t have it today. The car was decent, but once we got behind on track position, it was tough to make up ground. We’ll regroup and get after it next week.”
Final Thoughts: This Race Had It ALL
Man, what a race. Vegas never disappoints. This was one of the most competitive intermediate track races we’ve seen in years, and it had all the drama you could ask for.
The record-breaking lead changes kept us guessing. The late-race caution flipped everything upside down. Josh Berry’s first win is a moment we’ll be talking about all season.
I don’t know about you, but this season just keeps getting better.
What do you think? Did Berry deserve the win? Who surprised you the most? And who did you have winning at Phoenix?
Stay tuned later this week for my breakdown of next weeks race at Homestead-Miami Speedway, the Straight Talk Wireless 400.
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