Stewart-Haas Racing names Josh Berry to No. 4 Ford in 2024
CONCORD, N.C. — Josh Berry will drive Stewart-Haas Racing’s No. 4 Ford in the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series, the team said Wednesday.
Berry will replace Kevin Harvick, who is retiring at the end of the 2023 season.
“We came up with a list of names about a year ago and Josh was on there. I asked him earlier this year and talked to Rodney [Childers] earlier this year. Josh’s name is one we never wavered on,” Harvick said.
“It’s been a fun process the last couple of months getting to know these guys. I can’t imagine a better opportunity for myself. Our expectations are simple. Keep working hard and keep doing the things this group has done the last few years,” Berry said.
Berry was once a bank teller who raced late models and connected with Dale Earnhardt Jr. on iRacing. He made several one-off starts in 2014-17 and slugged it out in late models with Dale Jr.
Then, in 2021, Berry broke out. He won at Martinsville in the spring and won again filling in for Michael Annett at Las Vegas in the fall.
“I wish Dale [Earnhardt Jr] could go back to his phone and the number of times I texted him saying, ‘If that guy could ever get the right opportunity, he could show something,’ and it’s cool to see him up here with us and to be able to go racing with him. Everyone knows what relationships mean to me and having someone who fits in is important,” Childers said.
“I’m not interested in some kids’ father buying their way into the Cup Series. I’m not interested in that. We want guys who earn their way, who work hard and understand the values it takes to be a top-tier driver – not one who had his eyes on a high school diploma and all of a sudden he’s a Cup Series driver. I’ve got zero interest in that. Josh has put the time and effort into this and that’s what makes championship driver,” Stewart expressed.
Watch the full announcement here:
