If Earnhardt found himself living vicariously through Berry at any point in 2020, he enjoyed a hell of a ride.
“We’re always actively looking at opportunities to get Josh into the next level and race in our cars more often,” Earnhardt said last fall. “We’ve had some opportunities to get him in our Xfinity cars and those have really proven successful, so much so that I was really shocked we didn’t have any more outside interest from corporate America to run more races.
“He’s a prime sort of up-and-comer that has put in a lot of work in the short-track ranks to develop himself as a driver.”
Berry is also cognizant of the fact that his long-awaited chance in the Xfinity Series is significant to far more drivers than just the one who’ll pilot the No. 8 car.
“That’s accurate to say. I think I represent a lot of different people,” he said. “I represent the younger generation who’s trying to make it and maybe isn’t doing it on a big budget, but who tries to race and earn opportunities.
“More than that, I think I represent the veteran short-track racers who’ve made a career out of short-track racing. I can name a lot of them who, like me, carry with them the frustration of knowing they’re good enough to move up, but they don’t find the right opportunity. Several of them reached out to me and said they’re pulling for me for that very reason. Lee Pulliam, Bubba Pollard, people like that, who I know and have raced against were so excited for me and to see what I can make of this.”
So, what will Berry make of it? He gets 12 starts and the chance to showcase his short-track mastery alongside budding NASCAR superstars such as Austin Cindric and Harrison Burton at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway on April 9.
“I feel like every race is going to be different,” Berry said. “Some races, like the short tracks, are going to play into my strengths. Others, like Daytona and Talladega, it’s gonna be a brand-new challenge. If you stay out of trouble at Daytona and just finish the race, you’ll get a good finish. You never really know how things will get going (everywhere else). This is the most continuous opportunity I’ve had and I get to work with the same group of guys every week, so that’s going to help my performance. If one race doesn’t go well, I know that there’s another one the next Saturday, so that eases my mind.”
Berry’s learning curve figures to shorten once he’s a few races into the season. Having limited track time before races, he said, might throw a wrench into the first race or two.
“It’s definitely going to be a challenge, not having practice and everything, I’d say that’s going to make it more difficult,” Berry added, “but that’s the same for everybody. I feel like I’ve always been able to adapt. Once I get in the swing of things, after a few races, I’m going to be a lot more comfortable.”
Berry owes much of his present success to the boss who had faith in him when no one else was interested.
“Dale has just been amazing to me,” Berry said of Earnhardt. “He was so excited and pumped up during our national championship run and following along with where we were going and what we were doing. He gave me the opportunity to run his late model cars after I moved (to North Carolina) and I don’t think either of us ever expected it to become what it has and to accomplish what we have.
“He really means a lot to me. We got to spend some more time together late last year when we were going through (the championship celebration). He’s one of my biggest fans, for sure. I was texting with him last year after races and he was just blown away. He knows how tough the late model ranks are because he did it himself. He’s always been supportive of me.”
Berry spent the winter months preparing for what amounts to a significant job promotion. Knowing that Pulliam, Pollard and other short-track stars will keep an eye on Berry’s progress made him even more impatient for the season to begin.
“I’ve waited a long time for this opportunity,” he said. “It’s a big deal.”