Wood Brothers Racing wasted no time unveiling a successor.
After Josh Berry announced last week he would not return for a third season in 2027, the NASCAR Cup Series team signed Jesse Love to pilot the historic No. 21 Ford on June 17.
The 21-year-old currently competes full-time for Richard Childress Racing in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. In the last three years, he’s won three races, earned 50 top-10s and claimed the circuit’s championship in 2025. In 2023, he captured an ARCA title.
“Jesse has accomplished a lot at a young age,” Wood Brothers President Jon Wood said. “He’s demonstrated the ability to win races, compete for championships and handle the expectations that come with racing at a high level. We’re looking forward to giving him the opportunity to take the next step in his career with the No. 21 team.”
Love does possess some Cup Series experience. He’s run seven races with RCR and Beard Motorsports across the last season and a half. His best finish was a 24th at Indianapolis.
He replaces Berry, a 35-year-old who won a race and made the playoffs in his first go-around with the Wood Brothers but sits 30th in the standings during his second.
Wood Brothers Racing is the oldest active organization in NASCAR. It dates back to 1950 and owns 101 victories from drivers like David Pearson, Cale Yarborough and Neil Bonnett.
“Driving the No. 21 for Wood Brothers Racing is truly an honor,” Love said. “This team has played such an important role in NASCAR history, and the drivers who have sat behind the wheel of this car are some of the greatest our sport has ever seen.
“I’m incredibly grateful to everyone at Wood Brothers Racing, Team Penske and Ford Racing for believing in me. I’m excited to get to work, continue learning from the people around me and compete at the highest level.”
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Wood Brothers ink young up-and-comer as Josh Berry replacement
Reporting by Chris Vinel, Daytona Beach News-Journal / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Chris Vinel, Daytona Beach News-Journal | USA TODAY Network
