![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/imago1028994345h-1.jpg)
via Imago
NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Practice and Qualifying Apr 29, 2023 Dover, Delaware, USA NASCAR Cup Series driver Josh Berry stands on pit road during practice and qualifying for the Wurth 400 at Dover Motor Speedway. Dover Dover Motor Speedway Delaware USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xMatthewxOHarenx 20230429_szo_bm2_0017
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/imago1028994345h-1.jpg)
via Imago
NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Practice and Qualifying Apr 29, 2023 Dover, Delaware, USA NASCAR Cup Series driver Josh Berry stands on pit road during practice and qualifying for the Wurth 400 at Dover Motor Speedway. Dover Dover Motor Speedway Delaware USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xMatthewxOHarenx 20230429_szo_bm2_0017
Like all other forms of motorsports, NASCAR is a highly competitive sport and not just with the Cup Series. The competition is intense in the Xfinity Series and Truck Series as well. The drivers across the three competitions are some of the best and they all have one goal, reaching the very top. So competing for race wins is absolutely crucial. However, that objective gets hampered when a team is penalized even before the start of a race and that is exactly what happened to a number of drivers ahead of the Darlington race in the Xfinity Series.
One of the biggest names that fell victim to these penalties is Josh Berry. The 32-year-old drives the #8 car for Dale Earnhardt Jr’s team JR Motorsports. Junior must not have been pleased with what happened at Darlington recently. While the penalties will not be applied immediately, they will be a cause for concern a few days down the line when the Xfinity Series goes to Kansas.
Xfinity Ruling Puts Drivers in a Tough Spot for Kansas Race
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Poll of the day
Kyle Larson & HMS Are Planning to Return to Indy 500 Next Year. But Should They?
Yes! It Is Great for NASCAR
No, It Was a Disaster This Time
Before every race, the officials at NASCAR follow a thorough car inspection process that takes about three hours to complete. It usually consists of five different inspection stations. Visual inspections, optical scans, and safety certifications are what take place in these inspections.
These inspections are absolutely crucial as one of the main things that is looked at in these sessions is safety. Right now, safety is a huge concern at NASCAR after the events of the Cup Series race at Daytona, which saw Ryan Preece’s car go airborne and flip about a dozen times. Preece was thankfully able to walk away from it without anything too serious, but it was terrifying to watch.
It is important that each and every car passes this inspection process. If not, they are reprimanded and slapped with penalties, which is never nice for the driver of the team.
A host of Xfinity racers failed this inspection process ahead of the race at Darlington, including JR Motorsports racer Josh Berry. The other racers whose cars failed the inspection are Sam Mayer, Corey Heim, Kaz Grala, Jeb Burton, Parker Retzlaff, and Kyle Sieg.
The penalty that has been levied is that neither of these drivers’ teams will be eligible for pit selection in the next race at Kansas. This will be a big hit for the teams as a good position in the pit lane facilitates good pit stop exits that help the driver maintain a decent track position after pitting.
In Xfinity tech Mayer, Berry, Heim, Grala, Burton, KSieg and Retzlaff cars failed twice and lose pit selection for Kansas. Grala car has failed three times and still needs to pass Saturday. Any additional in-race penalties TBD once Grala far passes in the morning.
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) September 2, 2023
Berry is one of the most talented drivers on the Xfinity grid and his talents have not gone unnoticed by those in the Cup Series. The JR Motorsports man had double duty last weekend at Daytona, driving both in the Xfinity and the Cup races.
Watch This Story: Kyle Larson Namedrops Top 3 Guy As Biggest Championship Roadblock
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Josh Berry’s Double Daytona Duty
Trending
Kyle Busch’s Wife Samantha Surprisingly Embracing Indian Culture Has Fans Going Gaga Over Fashionista Status
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-1240218799.jpg?width=300)
NASCAR Rumor: Courtesy of a $38.76B Sponsor, Tony Stewart’s Dark Horse Secures a Seat With Brad Keselowski at RFK Racing
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-627072846-1.jpg?width=300)
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Enraged at Bubba Wallace After He Shot Himself in the Foot, Leaving Michael Jordan in Agony
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Untitled-design-91-21.jpg?width=300)
NASCAR Fans Urge Kyle Busch for a U-Turn Amid Rumors of Rick Hendrick’s Underachiever’s Exit
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Rick-Hendrick-and-Kyle-Busch-1.jpg?width=300)
Despite Alex Bowman’s Confidence, $12.67 Billion Sponsor Could Leave Him Hanging Out of HMS if the Tides Don’t Turn
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2022-03-12T201334Z_1117556456_MT1USATODAY17881011_RTRMADP_3_NASCAR-RUOFF-MORTGAGE-500-PRACTICE-QUALIFYING.jpg?width=300)
In the Xfinity race, the JR Motorsports man had a decent performance as he finished in 17th place and scored 20 points. It might not have been his best result, but it was not the worst outcome that could have arisen from the race for him and his name.
Next came the Cup Series race, which was the final regular-season race of 2023. Amid a field of drivers who were trying to solidify their place in the playoffs, Berry battled through and finished in a commendable 22nd place for Legacy Motor Club, replacing Noah Gragson.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Berry is quickly rising through the ranks in NASCAR and it won’t be long before he finds himself in the Cup Series, driving for Stewart Haas Racing, hopefully fighting for wins. Those are some pretty big shoes to fill, replacing the legendary Kevin Harvick. Will he be able to do it?
Read More: Joey Logano Smugly Shuts Down Haters With a Bold Internal Claim