What’s Happening
Josh Berry improved his finish in his second start driving the No. 9 Napa Chevrolet subbing in for an injured Chase Elliott. Berry is slowly adapting to the Next Gen car as he gets more seat time.
- Josh Berry is coming off a 29th place finish in Las Vegas where he made his first start in the Next Gen car.
- Many fans and those among the NASCAR industry were curious to see if the Xfinity Series regular could handle the Next Gen car after getting short notice to fill in. This marks Josh Berry’s first NASCAR Cup Series top 10 finish.
- All four Hendrick Motorsports cars finished the United Rentals Work United 500 inside the top 10. William Byron gets back-to-back victories leading all drivers currently in the win category for the 2023 season. Kyle Larson comes home 4th after starting on the pole for today’s race and Alex Bowman bring his No. 48 Ally Chevy across the line in 9th.
How about JOSH BERRY TOP 10?!? Great day for Hendrick Motorsports pic.twitter.com/MSbGpYkubk
— Justin Melillo (@justinmelillo) March 12, 2023
The Main Characters
Jonathan Fjeld caught up with Josh Berry to get his reaction on his day at Phoenix and getting his first top 10 finish in Cup.
Josh Berry earned his first Cup top-10 in Sunday's race at Phoenix.
— Jonathan Fjeld (@Jonathan_Fjeld) March 12, 2023
Here's Josh's breakdown of the day. #NASCAR #UnitedRentals500 #NASCAR75 pic.twitter.com/qXCdO3rpxZ
The No. 9 Team’s Twitter Page congratulated Josh Berry on his top 10 finish.
Checkered flag is in the air. Josh Berry and the @KelleyBlueBook team finish P10!
— No. 9 Team (@Hendrick9Team) March 12, 2023
In The Stands
JBTheExplorer had high hopes for Josh Berry to adapt to the Next Gen car.
I knew Berry would figure it out. He had some things work out for him there but there's improvement for sure.
— JBTheExplorer (@ExplorerJB) March 12, 2023
Brandon Lawson shares his excitement on Josh Berry’s performance on Twitter and has his eyes on Josh Berry in the No. 9 car at Atlanta.
How about it @joshberry! Top 10!!! Great all around work by that team. On to Atlanta.
— Brandon Lawson (@wxbrandon9) March 12, 2023
Two weeks under his belt and now he basically goes to a superspeedway.
Look out for that 9 in Georgia.
TDD’s own Joey Stone acknowledges the turnaround from last week’s result in Las Vegas.
Round of applause for Josh Berry.
— Joey Stone | AWG (@JoeyStone_8) March 12, 2023
First full week of practice and preparation with the next-gen and got a Top 10.
Complete 180 from last week.
The Twitter page for Dawsonville Pool Room congratulated Josh Berry in his performance substituting for hometown hero Chase Elliott.
Top 10 for @joshberry! Awesome job!!!@TeamHendrick looking strong this year 💪 https://t.co/IRiE4Isl64
— Dawsonville Pool Room (@DawsonPoolRoom) March 12, 2023
Colby Evans wasn’t too thrilled about the outcome of the race, but is ecstatic to see Josh Berry get a top 10.
Man that finish was underwhelming
— Colby Evans-ARCA/NASCAR S&P Cars (@StartAndParkCar) March 12, 2023
Very Mid race, This track shouldn't host the title race, point blank
biggest highlight is #9 Berry getting a top 10!!!
On Your Screen
Content Creator Michael Mrucz cheers on Josh Berry as he is showing improvement driving the Next Gen car.
JOSH BERRY WOOOOOO
— Michael Mrucz (@michael_mrucz) March 12, 2023
Eric Estepp shares his thoughts on Twitter on the United Rentals Work United 500 results.
2-in-a-row for William Byron, HMS!
— Eric Estepp (@EricEstepp17) March 12, 2023
Chevy wins their fourth-straight.
All three manufacturers on the podium.
Josh Berry gets a top 10.#NASCAR75
From The Pressbox
Jonathan Fjeld was able to get a few comments from 4-Time Cup Series Champion and Vice Chairman at Hendrick, Jeff Gordon.
Jeff Gordon was impressed with Josh Berry. Jeff said things didn't start well but saw them improve and even mix it up, three and four wide.
— Jonathan Fjeld (@Jonathan_Fjeld) March 12, 2023
He reemphasized how the Xfinity and Cup cars are farther apart than they've ever been, to the point of Berry's performance. #NASCAR
SiriusXM NASCAR producer Davey Segal Tweets out the finishing positions for all Hendrick Motorsports cars at Phoenix Raceway.
Lost in the craziness of that OT finish is @joshberry finishing 10th!@TeamHendrick put all four cars inside the top 10 today at Phoenix.
— Davey Segal (@DaveyCenter) March 12, 2023
• @WilliamByron – 1st
• @KyleLarsonRacin – 4th
• @Alex_Bowman – 9th
↳ Top 10 in every race of 2023
• Berry – 10th (2nd race filling in)
Motorsports reporter Alan Cavanna posted on his Twitter page on the average running position for the No. 9 Team today in Phoenix.
Helluva day for @joshberry.
— Alan Cavanna (@AlanCavanna) March 12, 2023
An average running position of 18.4, he spent one lap in the top-10…
And it was the right one 🏁
“They don’t ask how…just how many”
Knowing that Josh Berry will continue to substitute in the No. 9 car for the ovals, gives the Xfinity Series regular many opportunities to show everyone on the biggest platform in NASCAR. Will Berry continue to improve and have consistent runs or was this top 10 run the peak?