CONCORD, N.C. — Josh Berry is one of the nicest and most genuine people in the sport of auto racing.
He’s also one of the hardest working racers and this year his hard work is being rewarded with an opportunity to race in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for JR Motorsports.
Berry has worked for JR Motorsports for years, serving as both a driver and manager of the team’s late model stock car program. He got the job after forming a friendship with team owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. 10 years ago when they were both regular iRacing competitors.
Since then, Berry has scored countless late model victories and championships, including a weekly racing championship at Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway, the CARS Late Model Stock Tour title and, most recently, the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series national championship.
He’s earned the opportunity he has with JR Motorsports, which will see him compete in about a dozen Xfinity Series races during the first half of the season.
However, Berry is far from the only short-track, stock car driver who deserves an opportunity like this. There are countless other late model drivers who deserve a shot to race in one of NASCAR’s three national series.
– Speaking of drivers who are always a threat in super late model races in the Southeast, Matt Craig is near the top of the list.
Craig, from Kannapolis, N.C., has consistently been one of the best super late model competitors in and around the Carolinas during the last five seasons. He’s won five straight touring series titles to go along with numerous feature victories.
He’s also not afraid to mix it up with regional and national stars. His multiple dustups with Bubba Pollard during the last few seasons show that not only is Craig fast, he is willing to use the chrome horn when he deems it necessary.
– On the other side of the country is Derek Thorn, who has established himself as the king of the SRL SPEARS Southwest Tour, which races primarily at tracks in California and surrounding states.
Thorn has consistently been the man to beat with the series, where he has claimed five championships since 2012. He’s also a two-time ARCA Menards Series West champion, claiming titles in 2013 and ’18.
Thorn also isn’t afraid to race outside of his region. He annually makes the trip to Florida’s Five Flags Speedway during Snowball Derby week. He won the 2019 Snowflake 100 pro late model race and last year he came up just short of winning the Snowball Derby after a battle with eventual winner Ty Majeski.
– Bobby McCarty is among the best late model stock car competitors in the United States.
At age 28, McCarty is one of the drivers to beat at every CARS Late Model Stock Tour event. He won consecutive championships in 2018 and ’19 with the series while racing for Nelson Motorsports.
Much like Craig, McCarty isn’t afraid to use the bumper of his race car to help him make a pass. It cost him dearly last year after a scrap with Berry resulted in Berry crashing McCarty at Ace Speedway in Altamahaw, N.C., all but ending McCarty’s CARS Tour title hunt.
Regardless, McCarty continues to be among the best in the business in a late model stock car and that is unlikely to change anytime soon.
– Casey Roderick is another driver who deserves an opportunity to shine in good equipment.
Roderick has been turning heads for years. We first heard of him more than 10 years ago when, at 16, he finished second in his ARCA Menards Series debut at Rockingham (N.C.) Speedway.
He would go on to win an ARCA race the following season at New Jersey Motorsports Park and has since made a name for himself racing super late models across the United States. He’s earned several marquee victories, including capturing the All-American 400 trophy last fall.
Roderick has had a few opportunities in NASCAR over the years, with his best coming in 2018 when he drove for GMS Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Iowa Speedway. However, Roderick has shown he deserves more than one-off opportunities.
– Last, but certainly not least, is perhaps the best short-track driver in the country.
Pollard continues to set the standard for what a super late model racer should aspire to be. He’s well spoken, makes no excuses and wins and loses with respect and dignity. However, he has no problem standing up for himself or his team when he feels like he’s been done wrong.
Pollard has won more marquee races than most drivers could ever dream, including the Oxford 250, the Slinger Nationals, CRA SpeedFest, the Winter Showdown, the Rattler 250 and the All-American 400.
Pollard even gets dirty from time to time, having scored victories in weekly competition at his home track, Georgia’s Senoia Raceway, when he wasn’t racing his asphalt late model.
These are only a few drivers who deserve a look from NASCAR team owners. However, racing isn’t always about talent. It’s often about how much money a driver can bring to the table.
Because of that, many drivers will never get the opportunities they deserve.