Dale Earnhardt Jr Pens Cathartic, Yet Simple 2-Word Message to Josh Berry, Bidding Farewell to JRM’s Star

For several years, Josh Berry has been an integral part of Dale Earnhardt Jr’s JR Motorsports team in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. But, all things must come to an end and so has Josh Berry’s time at JRM. Berry will finally get his chance to compete full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2024 having signed a contract with Stewart-Haas Racing. He will also be replacing the legendary Kevin Harvick to drive the #4 SHR Ford Mustang. Things are looking up for Berry as he takes on a role in the top division, but that also means the 33-year-old had to bid adieu to Junior’s team.

Just like the gentleman Dale Earnhardt Jr is, the team owner didn’t forget to express his gratitude for his former driver and penned a simple yet heartening message for the NASCAR veteran.

Josh Berry made one of his boss’s dreams come true, latter pays solemn tribute

Dale Earnhardt Jr has massive respect and love for Josh Berry. After all, it was the 33-year-old who helped him realize one of his dreams as a team owner. The SHR driver’s exploits with Junior go beyond the Xfinity Series. According to Dale Jr, Berry spent over a decade racing for him in late models, winning over 100 races, and the national championship.

“I never dreamed in my life that I would ever win a national title at the regional division or the regional level. And Josh got that for us, one of my more prouder trophies that we have. And so and I mean right here in this office, right here in this studio, we surprised Josh with his opportunities to race in the Xfinity series,” Junior had revealed on an episode of The Dale Jr Download podcast.

The 49-year-old team owner believes that he himself is to blame for having a poor final season with Josh Berry. However, that does not mean that there is any loss of respect between the two. 

“We had a rough year with Josh this year. I take a lot of responsibility for that. It’s not a Josh Berry problem, it’s just we all sit down all season and it’s a puzzle,” Junior said after a disappointing final season for Josh Berry.

As the Xfinity Series reached its conclusion, Junior penned a simple yet heartwarming message to his long-time driver.

Sharing a JR Motorsports’ post on his Instagram story, the former Cup Series driver thanked Josh Berry for his years of service to the team and for making one of his dreams come true with the national title. “Thank you,” the post read.

The Xfinity Series may be over for Josh Berry, but there is no slowing down for him. The 33-year-old will take part in three marquee Late Model Stock Car events over the next three weeks. He will be driving the #62 Late Model Stock Car owned by Kevin Harvick and built by crew chief Rodney Childers. This also brings about another exciting opportunity: Fans will get to see Josh Berry race against his ex-boss!

Read More – Exclusive: 2023 Truck Champ Ben Rhodes Confesses Only Regret During His Xfinity Partnership With Dale Jr & Kevin Harvick

Dale Earnhardt Jr set to race against his ex-driver in Florence

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One of the drivers that Berry will go up against in a couple of weeks will be his former boss, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Junior will run his late-mile stock car in Florence and is looking forward to the opportunity of racing his former employee, which he recently expressed.

“We’re going to Florence in a couple weeks. I’m gonna run my late-mile stock car. He’ll be out there driving a Ford that Harvick owns, that Rodney’s built. But, you know, so when we race with him on the late mile stocks, that’ll be a lot of fun seeing him at the track and, and competing,” Junior said.

“But, and I’m sure he’s gonna smoke us being as good as he is, but seeing him race on Sundays next year, I cannot wait to watch his progression, watch him learn, get better and better and better,” he added.

The mutual respect between the two is clearly strong and there is no doubt that they will remain friends despite not being on the same team. Then again, who knows what the future holds? Maybe Josh Berry will end up driving for Junior again.

WATCH THIS STORY: Racing Regrets: Dale Earnhardt Jr’s Revelation