As the 2025 season approaches, all eyes are on the Wood Brothers Racing team. Especially with the recent announcement of Miles Stanley stepping in as crew chief for the legendary No. 21 Ford Mustang. This marks a crucial moment for both the team and Stanley, who’s bringing a wealth of experience from his days at Team Penske, where he played a crucial role in championship-winning efforts. Now, with Tony Stewart’s rookie behind the wheel, fans are watching closely.

Sure, Stanley’s impressive background—he’s helped bring home 21 wins and a championship—paints a hopeful picture. But there’s an undercurrent of skepticism, especially among die-hard fans who remember the hype that sometimes precedes a rookie driver. Despite Roger Penske’s endorsement of Stanley, whispers among the NASCAR faithful predict that Josh Berry might not live up to the lofty expectations set by his predecessors.

The No. 21 isn’t just any ride; it carries the legacy of legends. Drivers such as Cale Yarborough, AJ Foyt, Kyle Petty, Michael Waltrip, and 2023 defending Cup series champ Ryan Blaney have driven the iconic car. As a newcomer to this iconic team, Berry will have to prove himself on a stage that demands not just talent but also a flair for the dramatic. Fans are right to be cautious—NASCAR is filled with stories of promising drivers who faltered under pressure. As Berry prepares for the challenge, many question if he’ll rise to the occasion.

With the Wood Brothers celebrating their 75th anniversary in 2025, there’s a mix of excitement and trepidation in the air. Fans are eagerly awaiting the season, hoping for fireworks but bracing themselves for the possibility of an anticlimactic debut. However, fans expressed their dissatisfaction with this news, as evident from the comments section on Reddit, where the news was shared on social media.

Fans unhappy about the Wood Brothers Racing transfer

As the news about Josh Berry stepping into the driver’s seat for Wood Brothers Racing rolls out, fan reactions are pouring in, and they aren’t holding back. One fan kicks things off with a sharp critique, stating, “Berry has been massively overrated by his association with Dalr Jr. I fully expect him to do marginally better than Burton in the #21 because they are pretty much the same level driver.” It’s clear this commenter believes Berry’s accolades are more a product of perception than reality, especially when stacked against fellow drivers. Ever since Josh Berry switched to Tony Stewart’s team in 2024, his best finish has been P3, but apart from that, it was mostly a disappointing season. His average finish of 22.8 speaks for itself.

Another fan echoes this sentiment, saying, “I think the 21 will still remain a disappointment in ‘25. Major mistakes by Penske/WBR not hiring children.” They’re voicing a strong opinion that the decision-making at Wood Brothers and Penske Racing might not lead to the success fans are hoping for. Especially considering the fact that they missed out on hiring Rodney Childers.

Meanwhile, a third fan brings a bit of a downer with their perspective on Berry’s career prospects: “Pretty sad that Berry and his chance at a good cup career are probably over due to the closure of SHR. I don’t see him rebounding from this.” The fan believes that due to the shutting down of Tony Stewart‘s team, Josh Berry will not have a real shot at having a good Cup Series career at Wood Brothers Racing.

Another fan is not too optimistic either, weighing in with a comparison: “I am pretty firm on Berry being not much better than Burton; I think he’s better but I don’t think he’s like, make it on points better. Probably mid to low 20’s on points, Rodney made this dude look better than he was at times. Compare their stats coming up and you see Berry and Burton being nearly identical drivers.” It sounds like they think Berry has some talent, but not enough to stand out in a highly competitive field.

Lastly, a fan asks, “Is Penske ever going to promote Andrea Mueller? She came over from NASA and was a part of Blaney’s success at Wood Brothers and partially responsible for 20 Xfinity and 8 Cup wins for Penske. I think she’s still with Penske, as I saw her at the shop last November after Martinsville.”  The fan wants to see Mueller climb the ranks, especially considering her experience in NASA and the fact that she helped Ryan Blaney reach the success he did in WBR before joining Team Penske.

That being said, what do you think of the move Wood Brothers Racing has decided to make? Share your thoughts in the comments below.