Kevin Harvick’s retirement left a massive void at Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR), not just in terms of star power, but also in terms of consistent wins. Stepping into the legendary No. 4 car was Josh Berry, a driver with impressive Xfinity Series credentials but no full Cup Series season under his belt. The pressure to succeed was present from the start, and Berry’s baptism by fire began with a disappointing display at Daytona, followed by a botched 29th-place finish at the Atlanta Motor Speedway.

While Berry’s early results haven’t been ideal at all, his crew chief, the iconic Rodney Childers, remains a pillar of support. Can Childers, who guided Harvick to a 2014 Sprint Cup Series victory, help Berry and the #4 car navigate the rough waters again?

Baptism by Fire for Josh Berry in the Cup Series

Despite showing glimpses of promise at Atlanta, finishing second in July 2022 in Xfinity and even manning the #9 car for Hendrick Motorsports in the absence of Chase Elliott part-time, his official full-time Cup Series debut at the reconfigured 1.52-mile oval was far from smooth sailing. A multi-car crash on Lap 241, triggered by contact between Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe, collected Berry and several other drivers. While Berry managed to escape the initial incident, he was involved in another collision on Lap 250, this time with Austin Cindric leaving him with a 29th-place finish. After two consecutive disappointments early into the season, this setback adds to the pressure, already mounting on Berry.

However, amidst the disappointment, a beacon of hope emerged from Berry’s crew chief of the #4 Ford, Rodney Childers. Acknowledging the challenging race, he took to Twitter to express his unwavering support for the 33-year-old driver. “Hate it ended like it did,” he wrote. “Had a lot of speed today and would fly thru the corner. @joshberry drove his butt off and got us in contention. We will keep growing and hitting all the little details…” 

Berry’s journey is still in its early stages, and Childers, a seasoned crew chief with championship pedigree alongside Harvick, publicly expressing encouragement is important. Even while the preliminary outcomes might not be perfect, Childers’ persistent faith emphasizes the team’s confidence in the new #4’s potential.

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Eyes on Vegas for The #4 Team

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Unlike rookies joining established teams with lower win expectations, Berry carries the responsibility of reviving a team on a downward trajectory. This unique situation intensifies the pressure he finds himself in, making the pursuit of early success even more daunting. Tony Stewart, faced with the departure of Harvick and Aric Almirola, is steering SHR through a challenging transition. The team’s downward trajectory since Harvick’s final Championship in 2014, adds to the pressure on not just Berry, but all the SHR drivers, expected to help revive the team’s winning identity.

Despite the setbacks in his early Cup Series career, a return to his roots at the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway might be exactly what Josh Berry needs to regain his rhythm. Berry plans to compete in a Late Model race at the iconic track in June, potentially even alongside Cup Series champion Chase Elliott. This race holds particular significance for Berry, who paid his dues racing Legends Cars on the Fairgrounds’ infield bullring. This return to familiar territory offers a chance to showcase his skills in a comfortable environment and potentially boost his confidence midway through the season after a challenging start to his 2024 Cup Series.

As Berry seeks to turn his fortunes around, all eyes will be on his performance at the upcoming Pennzoil 400 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Historically, Las Vegas has been a successful track for Berry in the Xfinity Series, with multiple wins under his belt at this track. The road ahead is filled with challenges, but Berry’s determination, his crew chief’s belief, and the team’s unwavering support hint at future triumphs waiting on the horizon.

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