Wood Brothers Racing revealed a significant new partnership with Advance Auto Parts on Tuesday, with the company set to be the primary sponsor on Josh Berry’s No. 21 Ford Mustang Dark Horse. This collaboration will debut during the AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400 at Dover Motor Speedway on Sunday, July 20. The Josh Berry Advance Auto Parts partnership highlights a meaningful connection between the driver’s history and the automotive parts provider’s ongoing support of grassroots racing.
Advance Auto Parts’ Reach and Commitment to NASCAR
Advance Auto Parts is a major automotive aftermarket supplier, operating nearly 4,300 stores across the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Beyond retail, the company actively engages with motorsports through sponsorship of the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series, which supports local racing circuits throughout the U.S. and Canada. This involvement reflects a dedication to growing the sport at its roots and nurturing emerging talent.
Josh Berry’s Connection to Advance Auto Parts and Grassroots Racing
Josh Berry’s success story is closely linked to Advance Auto Parts, as he won the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series national championship in 2020. This achievement was a stepping stone in his ascent to NASCAR’s elite levels, including his first Cup Series victory earlier this year at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Berry expressed his excitement about representing the company at Dover, emphasizing the importance of their support for grassroots racing.
“To have Advance Auto Parts on board at Dover is really special to me,”
said Berry.
“They’ve done so much to support grassroots racing across the country, and I’m proud to have won the Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series championship back in 2020. It means a lot to now represent them at the Cup level with Wood Brothers Racing.”
Wood Brothers Racing Leadership on the New Partnership
Jon Wood, president of Wood Brothers Racing, praised Advance Auto Parts for their role in elevating short track racing’s profile nationwide. He highlighted that Josh Berry embodies the values and development that the company’s support systems encourage, making the partnership a natural fit for the team and driver.
“Advance Auto Parts has been a tremendous supporter in raising the profile of short track racing across the country for the past several years, and this partnership aligns perfectly with Josh’s background,”
Wood said.
“He’s a product of the system they’ve supported and continues to represent the values of grassroots racing. We’re proud to have Advance Auto Parts on board the No. 21 car at Dover.”
Advance Auto Parts’ Executive on Supporting Josh Berry and Wood Brothers Racing
Bruce Starnes, executive vice president and chief merchant at Advance Auto Parts, expressed pride in backing Josh Berry’s journey from local racing to NASCAR’s premier series. He also emphasized the company’s commitment to partnering with a historic team like Wood Brothers Racing, underlining the significance of this collaboration.
“Josh’s journey from the local short tracks to the Cup Series embodies the spirit of what Advance Auto Parts stands for,”
said Starnes.
“We’re proud to support him and to align with one of the most iconic teams in the sport in Wood Brothers Racing.”
Event Details and Broadcast Information
The No. 21 Advance Auto Parts Ford Mustang Dark Horse will be unveiled during practice and qualifying sessions at Dover Motor Speedway on Saturday, July 19 at 1:35 p.m. Eastern Time. The main event, the AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400, will air on TNT Sports beginning at 2 p.m. ET, with coverage also available via the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Implications of the Partnership for NASCAR and Future Growth
This collaboration underscores Advance Auto Parts’ ongoing commitment to NASCAR and the development of emerging drivers like Josh Berry, who symbolize the bridge between grassroots racing and the sport’s highest tier. The partnership with Wood Brothers Racing is expected to provide valuable exposure for the brand while supporting the continuing rise of talent within NASCAR. Fans and stakeholders alike will be watching closely as this alliance takes the track at Dover, marking an important milestone in Berry’s career and the company’s involvement in motorsports.