Josh Berry To Continue Subbing for Chase Elliott on Ovals

March 7, 2023
5:27 pm

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 05: Josh Berry, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, speaks to crew members prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 05, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)

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Bryan Moyers

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Hendrick Motorsports made it official at the end of business Tuesday. Josh Berry will continue filling in for Chase Elliott on NASCAR oval tracks as Elliott recovers from injury.

What’s Happening?

Hendrick Motorsports announced Tuesday that Josh Berry would continue to drive the No. 9 filling in for Chase Elliott on ovals. For Circuit of the Americas, the team will bring in Jordan Taylor. Taylor is known for driving Chevy sports cars in the IMSA series.

What You Need to Know:

Hendrick announced Elliott would miss 6 weeks.
Josh Berry will continue to fill in for him on oval races and Jordan Taylor will race COTA for the team.
While certain drivers fanned the flames of the rumor mill that Corey LaJoie would get his chance, the team announced their lineup moving forward while Chase Elliott recovers.

UPDATE: As @chaseelliott recovers, @joshberry will drive the No. 9 Chevy on ovals and @jordan10taylor will race @NASCARatCOTA. Click for more details. https://t.co/cCAdrXzBuG

— Hendrick Motorsports (@TeamHendrick) March 7, 2023

Around the Garage

One of Josh Berry’s biggest fans and supporters is his Xfinity car owner, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Dale expressed his support on his podcast prior to the news and then backed it up on Twitter.

Discussed all this on the DJD pod today. I didn’t know the news at the time but made my argument to trying something like this at COTA. Berry gets more opportunities to audition for open Cup rides next year. Spire made a big push and is 📈 w/ LaJoie in ‘23. https://t.co/HxwO56Rk3W
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) March 7, 2023

In the Stands

Fans chimed in with mixed reactions to Josh Berry continuing in the 9 car.

Love Josh Berry, but lowkey was hoping for someone to catch their big break with the 9 car. Kept seeing Corey LaJoie's name come up from some people, that would have been pretty cool.
— Chasing Briscoe (@CaptCBriscoe) March 7, 2023

The home of the “Si-reen” welcomed the substitute drivers with open arms.

Hey @joshberry and @jordan10taylor, y’all need to come visit Dawsonville, so we can show you around and give you temporary Dawsonville resident status. Word on the street is Dawsonville drivers get a si-reen celebration after they win! #NASCAR
— Dawsonville Pool Room (@DawsonPoolRoom) March 8, 2023

Fans were even more excited to see Jordan Taylor get a Cup ride.