Dale Earnhardt Jr. has come to the defense of Josh Berry following recent NASCAR race incidents that sparked widespread debate among fans and analysts. The NASCAR Hall of Famer spoke candidly about the controversial moments involving Berry at Sonoma Raceway, emphasizing his support despite criticism linked to Berry NASCAR race incidents.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Addresses Controversial Moves by Josh Berry at Sonoma Raceway
The tension at Sonoma Raceway escalated during the final laps when Josh Berry made contact with fellow drivers Carson Hocevar and Erik Jones, incidents that led to criticism and questions about Berry’s racing tactics. Many questioned whether Berry’s aggressive driving was justified or a form of retaliation. However, Dale Earnhardt Jr. firmly backed Berry in his remarks on the Dale Jr. Download podcast, stating:
“Everybody who’s sitting here going, ‘F*** Dale Jr. and his Josh Berry fandom, of course he’s going to tap his back.’ You’re right. You’re absolutely right. Josh is the f***ing man.” (39:40 onwards)
Earnhardt Jr.’s loyalty to Berry stems from a long mentorship and friendship, dating back to Berry’s time with JR Motorsports. Since 2010, Berry has been a prominent figure in the Late Model Stock Car series, marked by significant victories including 95 wins and two CARS Tour championships. His 2020 season was particularly historic, where he secured 24 victories across the Southeast and earned the NASCAR Weekly Series National Championship, a first in JRM’s history.
Examining the Race Dynamics: Contact with Erik Jones and Carson Hocevar
Earnhardt Jr. analyzed the Sonoma incidents in detail, highlighting how the prior race in Chicago influenced the on-track tensions. In Chicago, Berry and Jones had a collision when Jones spun off the front of Berry’s No. 21 Ford at Turn 7, which Earnhardt viewed as the catalyst for the Sonoma contact. Regarding this, he commented:
“Josh Berry had a pretty eventful last couple of laps of the race… the 43 of Jones spun off the nose of the 21, coming out of turn seven. That looked like possible payback from the week before at Chicago. And you know what? Hey, that’s how you do it… Josh is a friend of mine, so you call it whatever you want to call, I don’t give a sh**. But that is not a passing zone down the hill into turn seven at Chicago.” (35:43 onwards)
Earnhardt called the Chicago incident an uncalled-for move by Jones but viewed Berry’s actions at Sonoma as understandable retaliation. At Sonoma’s Turn 2, Berry’s shove on Hocevar’s No. 77 car, which spun Hocevar, was described as even more deliberate. Earnhardt said:
“So Josh is a racer, and he’s like, ‘Hey, perfect f***ing opportunity right here. Turn seven, a couple of laps to go. So, he didn’t give he didn’t give Jones a break. Got into his back bumper, spun him around. Intentionally or not, I don’t got a problem with that one. But then we get to the top of the hill in turn two, and it looked to me like this one was a, ‘you’re f***ing out of here… this looked really intentional to me because you know Josh just drives in and pops the 77,” he added. (37:07 onwards)
Despite the intensity, Berry’s performance resulted in a respectable 13th place finish, even after struggling with older tires and earlier setbacks. Earnhardt Jr. mentioned exchanging texts with Berry following the race, with Berry’s measured responses reflecting his composed approach amid the controversy.
Contextualizing the Aggression: NASCAR’s Competitive Nature and Driver Styles
Carson Hocevar’s aggressive driving has been a frequent source of friction throughout the season, drawing criticism from several drivers, including Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Earnhardt Jr. viewed these confrontations as part of NASCAR’s inherent give-and-take dynamic, especially between assertive competitors like Hocevar and Jones.
By framing the incidents within the broader culture of NASCAR racing, Earnhardt suggested that moments of physical racing contact, even when heated, are an expected element of the sport’s competitive intensity.
Implications of the Sonoma Incidents for Josh Berry’s NASCAR Career
The defensive stance from Earnhardt Jr. not only highlights the respect Berry commands from his mentor but also underscores the complexities drivers face navigating aggressive competition at high-stakes events like Sonoma Raceway. As Berry continues to establish himself in the NASCAR ranks, these incidents and their aftermath may influence public perception and race adjudication concerning on-track conduct.
With Berry’s proven track record in late model racing and national championships, balancing aggressive racing and sportsmanship remains critical for his ongoing career development within NASCAR.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Did Josh Berry go to school with Taylor Swift?
A. Both Berry and Swift, who are 35 years old, went to high school at Hendersonville High School located in Hendersonville, Tennessee.