For the second consecutive season, 20-year-old Josh Berry will drive the No. 72 Chevrolet for JR Motorsports’ late model program. Berry, a native of Hendersonville, Tenn., will compete in the majority of events at the historic Motor Mile Speedway in Radford, Va. He is slated to compete in 20 races for JR Motorsports.
Berry proved to be a quick study during his 2010 rookie campaign with JR Motorsports. Having never been in a racecar larger than a Legends car, Berry quickly adapted to the much heavier late model cars, and earned a best finish of sixth by season’s end.
He began his racing career at age 8, competing in the Tennessee Karting Association before progressing to the highly-acclaimed World Karting Association in 2001. Following several seasons racing go-karts, Berry and his father made the decision to progress his career to INEX Legends cars in 2006. Over the course of three years, Berry collected 21 feature victories and track championships at the famed Fairgrounds Speedway in Nashville, Tenn.
During the week, Berry works as a mechanic at JR Motorsports with the team’s Nationwide Series cars. After hours and on weekends, he turns wrenches on the No. 72 late model.
Berry is also a highly-regarded online racer, competing in the NASCAR iRacing.com World Championship. It was Berry’s passion for iRacing.com that led to a friendship with JR Motorsports co-owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. That friendship eventually brought Berry from his home in Tennessee to his current residence in Mooresville, N.C.
The addition of Berry to the JR Motorsports late model program continues the team’s long-standing participation on several of the NASCAR Home Tracks around the southeast. From its inception in 2002, JR Motorsports has competed locally each year with drivers like TJ Majors (current spotter for Earnhardt Jr. and Danica Patrick), Richard Boswell (current engineer for No. 7 team), and Jeremy McGrath (7-time Supercross Champion).
The No. 72 team and Berry will be led this season by long-time Whelen Modified Tour competitor and Earnhardt Jr.’s brother-in-law, L.W. Miller, along with Earnhardt Jr.’s stepfather, Willie Jackson. Both Miller and Jackson will collaborate to provide the young driver with valuable insight on short-track racing.