Miraculous Cup Winner Openly Hints Driving for Dale Jr.’s JRM as He Eyes Cup Series Return with Rick Hendrick

In 2008, racing virtually on the iRacing circuit, the online racing simulator, something caught Dale Jr.’s attention. A particular driver kept beating him. Lap after lap, race after race, the same name appeared ahead of his on the leaderboard. Shortly afterward, Dale Jr. developed a friendship with his online nemesis and found out that he wasn’t a rising star from a top-tier development program, but a bank teller from Tennessee. Eventually, Dale Jr. gave him the chance to drive his late-model stock car for JRM in 2010 and his career took off. The driver? Josh Berry. Yes, the same Josy Berry who stunned everyone by winning his first Cup race at the Pennzoil 400 in Las Vegas on Sunday.

Following his win one of the loudest cheers was from his former team owner Dale Jr. After working as a mechanic at JRM’s Xfinity program, he earned his chance as a late-model stock car driver for Dale Jr.’s team. Despite getting an occasional chance to race in the No. 5 JRM car in the Xfinity Series, it wasn’t until 2022 that he got a full-time ride in the Xfinity Series. During that season, Berry won three races and finished fourth in the standings, the next year he did not win a race but earned 11 top-five finishes. And from here on he finally got to live his NASCAR dream to compete in a Cup car with a now-defunct Stewart Haas Racing. before joining Wood Brothers Racing this year. But could a reunion with JRM be on the cards?

After Tony Stewart and Co. decided to shut down SHR at the end of the year, Berry landed on his feet in the No. 21 car at Wood Brothers Racing, and in just four races into the 2025 season Berry delivered a Cup win for NASCAR’s oldest race team. While Berry had a major breakthrough in Las Vegas, his former owner is also making strides this year. JR Motorsports also made their Cup debut this year leaving fans demanding a full-time return soon. Many who have watched Dale Jr. and Berry through the short-track circuits to the Xfinity Series couldn’t help but paint a dream scenario. One where Josh Berry would race in one of JRM Cup cars and despite his ties to Ford and Wood Brothers Racing, the driver was open to this idea.

Jose Castilo along with Kenny Wallace sat down with Berry at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway and talked about his connection with Dale Jr. This is when Castilo threw the curve ball at the driver of the No. 21 car, “If that opportunity ever came back, would you like to be back with Dale Jr. in the Cup car? No pressure.”

Berry didn’t hesitate despite his links with the Penske program at Wood Brothers and his allegiance to the Ford camp. “I mean honestly, I feel like that door is definitely still open in a way. I mean we talk a lot. And honestly, we’ve gotten closer in the last couple of years. I talk to him now more than ever.”

Following his win, Dale Jr. was one of the first people to call Berry and Wood Brothers to congratulate them on the win. Berry revealed, “I FaceTime’d Dale Jr. in Victory Lane because he’s done a lot for me. He was jacked up.” Dale Jr. also posted a scene from the classic Rudy movie, where Charles S. Dutton is seen clapping emotionally.

Berry’s win was not just the story of his perseverance but of the belief shown in him by Dale Jr. During his time at JRM, Earnhardt advocated for Berry and gave him the chance to show what he was capable of. His win at Vegas was an example of how many short-track racers are out there with Cup Series potential who just need a chance and Dale Jr. was more than willing to bet on Berry’s talents. As a result, their bond remains as strong as ever.

“He’s been a tremendous supporter of mine, he’s done so much for my career. But I fell like more now, really from the fill-in role at HMS, and going through the emotions of that and then the emotions of everything at Stewart Haas, and now going to the Wood Brothers. He’s just become a great friend of mine. He’s not against just calling me up and asking me how I’m doing, how I’m feeling, and where my heads at. I feel like we are closer than ever now, even when I drove for him for years. He was really excited for yesterday.” he told Kevin Harvick in an interview after the race. The love and respect Berry enjoys in the Earnhardt household was also evident following his remarkable win.

Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s sister Kelley Earnhardt Miller, tweeted, “Heck ya @joshberry @woodbrothers21! Who can’t love that!” as Berry drove into the victory lane. Given his closeness with the family, it wouldn’t be impossible to imagine a return to JRM, particularly with their Cup Series ambitions.

Top Comment by Tednplyler

He definitely would, however, he should stay with #21 IF they are committed to staying with him for what looks...more

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Dale Jr. and JRM may be eyeing a full-time leap into the Cup Series. While this may sound challenging, this is where Rick Hendrick’s expertise could come in handy.

Can Rick Hendrick aid JRM’s Cup Series aspirations?

The expansion of JR Motorsports has been greatly aided by Rick Hendrick, who oversaw Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s transition to team ownership. His influence is now greater than ever as JRM considers entering the Cup Series. Dale Jr. has frequently credited Hendrick for JRM’s success, once stating, “I’m very thankful for Rick and how he’s taken care of Kelley [Earnhardt Miller] and allowed her to grow her confidence and become the person she is in our industry.”

One of the biggest obstacles to switching from Xfinity to Cup is NSCAR’s expensive charter structure. JRM’s entry is far from straightforward, with a limited number of spaces and exorbitant costs. Dale Jr. himself has acknowledged the complexity of the move. “You’ve got to have the infrastructure, the funding, and the right people in place. It’s not just about wanting to do it—it’s about being ready,” he stated in a past interview.

To participate in the Cup Series, JRM would require a significant financial commitment, even with the backing of Hendrick Motorsports. The veteran team owner was the one who engineered a partnership between Dale Jr. and Chris Stapleton, which allowed JRM to finally field their car at Daytona 500. “Rick presented the opportunity to connect with Chris and his team, they were interested in marketing in our sport, and Rick knew that I was wanting to fulfill this opportunity. It was like two people that wanted the same thing.”

From helping set up JRM after Dale Jr.’s split from DEI to staging the team’s first-ever Cup Series race, Rick Hendrick has been a silent partner calling the shots. And it won’t be a surprise is he has a hand in taking JRM to full-time racing in the Cup Series.