Josh Berry’s 2025 season has been a rollercoaster. Flashes of brilliance overshadowed by sheer bad luck. After securing a coveted seat with Wood Brothers Racing following Stewart-Haas Racing’s closure, Berry was eager to make his mark in the iconic No. 21 car. But his campaign began with heartbreak. The Daytona 500 ended in disaster for Berry when he was swept up in a multi-car wreck on Lap 63, leaving him with a frustrating 37th-place finish.Atlanta seemed like the perfect place for redemption. Berry put on a masterclass, leading 56 laps and proving he belonged at the front of the pack. Yet, in a cruel twist of fate, another late-race wreck robbed him of a well-earned result. Bob Pockrass got a candid reaction from Berry post-race, where he reflected on the chaos of the final lap and the disappointment of finishing 25th despite his strong performance.A strong performance by Josh Berry gets undone by a last-lap wreckJosh Berry showcased his potential at Atlanta, leading 56 laps and winning the opening stage with help from drafting ace Austin Cindric. Despite his efforts, Berry found himself caught in the chaos of the final lap of the race. He got caught between Denny Hamlin and Ross Chastain. The result? Berry found himself into the wall and out of the race. “Obviously, didn’t get the finish we deserved,” he said, expressing his disappointment after crossing the line in P25.Before the final lap’s anticlimax, Berry’s No. 21 Ford was a dominant force throughout the race. He controlled the pack in the final stage, blocking both lanes and positioning himself for a top finish. However, as the race neared its end, aggressive moves from competitors disrupted his momentum. “It was just crazy… it’s aggressive-moves racing there at the end,” Berry explained, acknowledging the unpredictable nature of superspeedway racing.The crucial moment came when Berry got shuffled back into the pack during the last lap. “The 77 threw the one out of line, and I kind of pushed him through the middle,” he recalled. Berry admitted that he needed to review the footage to analyze what went wrong. “I got to go back and look and see if I could have done something better,” he stated. Despite his frustrations, Berry remained focused on learning from the incident. His performance throughout the race proved that he has the speed and skill to compete at the front. Josh Berry on a day where he led 56 laps but wound up 25th after a last-lap wreck. @NASCARONFOX pic.twitter.com/cuzQVnb9Mm— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) February 24, 2025When asked again about the incident, Berry said he was unsure of the exact cause of the wreck. However, he acknowledged the tight racing in the closing moments. “I don’t know if Ross came up a little bit or what I could have done better in that situation. Just part of it, I guess,” he said. It’s the chaotic nature of superspeedway racing often leaves little room for second-guessing, and Berry found himself on the wrong side of a last-lap shuffle.Looking ahead, Berry now shifts his focus to the upcoming EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA). The road course hasn’t been kind to him in the past. Last year, he finished 35th while driving for Stewart-Haas Racing. However, with a fresh start at Wood Brothers Racing, he hopes to turn things around. The new National layout introduced this year, shortening the track to 2.356 miles, could play to his advantage. A strong showing at COTA would not only help erase the sting of Atlanta but also give Berry a much-needed boost in the standings as he continues to establish himself with his new team.Fans react: Frustration, praise, and what could have beenJosh Berry’s performance at Atlanta Motor Speedway had fans talking. Many were impressed with how aggressively he raced and his ability to stay at the front for most of the event recently. “He’s impressed me with how hard (aggressive) he’s been driving since Bowman Grey,” one fan noted.Josh Berry had an eventful outing at the Bowman Gray stadium during the Cook Out Clash weekend. Right from the start, he showcased his aggressive style of racing. This was especially evident during the Last Chance Qualifier. Berry, against all odds, managed to nab the last transfer spot for the main event. Then, Berry secured 13th place at the final event at The Madhouse, showcasing his resilience and ability to adapt under pressure.Another fan pointed out his improvement on drafting tracks, saying, “Since the Coke Zero 400 last year, he’s really looked good on superspeedways.” Berry managed to qualify 5th for the main event at the Daytona International Speedway. He followed up his qualifying performance by taking the lead on several occasions. However, with two laps to go, Berry got involved in the infamous wreck that saw his car flip and slam into a wall after skidding along on its roof.In the end, many fans saw the potential for a truly special moment. “Josh winning in the 21 today would have been a ‘Field of Dreams’ result. S—-,” one fan lamented. Others shared the emotion stating, “Was hoping he was going to win,” and “Good job @joshberry. Looking forward to you having a great year.” While Berry’s Atlanta race didn’t have the fairytale ending some had hoped for, his performance left little doubt that he’ll be in contention again soon.The post Josh Berry Reflects on Heartbreaking P25 Finish Despite Having a Fast Car appeared first on EssentiallySports.