Wood Brothers Racing: A Resurgence in the Making
As the 2025 NASCAR season drew to a close, Wood Brothers Racing, one of the sport’s most storied teams, found itself on the cusp of a resurgence. For Jon Wood, president of the team, the journey to this point has been a long and arduous one. In a recent interview with ESPN, Wood revealed that there was a time when he dreaded attending races, often citing family commitments as an excuse to avoid the frustration that came with watching his team struggle on the track.
“I used to look for any excuse that I could to not have to come Sunday,” Wood confessed. “I would use my children’s activities as an excuse. It was family time I didn’t want to miss, considering how young they are, which made for an accurate-yet-convenient alibi.” However, Wood’s sentiments have shifted dramatically in recent times, thanks in large part to the team’s newfound competitiveness.
The team’s recent upswing can be attributed to the arrival of new driver Josh Berry and crew chief Miles Stanley. Berry’s win at Las Vegas Motor Speedway marked the team’s first victory since 2017, and he went on to secure an average finish of 21.7, leading over 200 laps throughout the season. This newfound competitiveness has not gone unnoticed, with Edsel Ford II, great-grandson of Henry Ford and a long-time supporter of the team, expressing his optimism for the future.
“I talk to (team CEO) Eddie Wood frequently, and both of us were pleasantly surprised with how well the season started, and how quickly Josh got up to speed with the team,” Ford told ESPN. “Unfortunately, the playoffs didn’t go very well, but that’s what makes racing so compelling. It’s not always going to go your way, but I firmly believe that NASCAR is better when the Wood Brothers are running up front and winning races.”
A Legacy of Excellence
Wood Brothers Racing boasts a rich history, having fielded cars for some of the most iconic names in NASCAR, including Junior Johnson, Cale Yarborough, and David Pearson. Between 1960 and 1993, the team secured an impressive 96 victories, cementing its status as one of the sport’s most successful outfits. However, the team’s fortunes began to wane in the following decades, with only sporadic successes and a lack of consistency.
Despite these challenges, the team persevered, and the arrival of Berry and Stanley has marked a significant turning point. The team’s improved performance has been acknowledged by their peers, with Ryan Blaney, the 2023 Cup Series champion, praising Berry’s efforts and the team’s resurgence.
“I think it’s really important (for the team to be relevant in the series), and I think Josh has done a great job, and I’ve been so happy with their performance this year and seeing all that grow, and I think they’re going to get better and better,” Blaney told ESPN.
A Bright Future Ahead
As the team looks to build on its recent successes, Wood remains cautiously optimistic. “I wish we had started slower and gotten the same results that we got, but later,” he said. “I think it created a false sense of having it together when we still had to grow.” Despite this, Wood is confident that the team is on the right trajectory, with a clear focus on continued improvement and a return to the top tier of NASCAR competition.
With its rich history and renewed competitiveness, Wood Brothers Racing is poised to make a lasting impact on the sport once again. As the team continues to grow and evolve, one thing is certain – the NASCAR community is eager to see what the future holds for this beloved outfit.
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