MOORESVILLE, N.C. – Perhaps one of the hottest names in the NASCAR garage, all-time CARS Late Model Stock Tour winner Josh Berry, will return to late model action next weekend at Jennerstown Speedway Complex.
However, it won’t be in the type of late model most fans are accustomed to seeing him drive.
Berry, who has been competing for multiple years behind the wheel of a late model stock car for team owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. and got his big break to compete in the Xfinity Series for JR Motorsports earlier this year, will wheel a super late model in the CARS Tour American Freedom 300 on July 3.
The Hendersonville, Tenn., native, who now resides in Mooresville, N.C., will pilot the No. 96 entry for Highlands Motorsports at the half-mile Jennerstown oval.
Berry and the Highlands team will compete in the CARS Tour’s largest super late model event of the season, which will award $20,000 to the race winner.
Super late model competitors from both sides of the United States are expected to be in attendance at Jennerstown. California competitor Jeremy Doss, along with eastern seaboard of New Hampshire competitor Derek Griffith, will be attendance.
The diversity and talent level that will assemble for the 200-lap race will be just as tough – if not tougher – than that of a NASCAR race, according to Berry.
“There’s no question about the talent that will be in the field for this race. I’ve raced against some strong fields with the CARS Tour late model stocks, and this super field that will be at Jennerstown stacks up as one of the best,” said Berry. “Racing at the short track level is hard to win races, especially when you show up to a big event like this one.
”I wouldn’t say one is harder than the other because each race presents its own challenges, but I know with this one, I’ll have my work cut out for me if I’m going to run up front.”
Even though Berry holds the record for most all-time wins, money earned, and poles in the CARS Tour’s late model stock car division, he has made just three starts behind the wheel of a super late model.
According to Berry, however, the lack of seat time behind the wheel of a super late model doesn’t affect his chances of going up against a plethora of the best drivers in the country at a track he’s never even seen.
“Super late model racing is not something I have a lot of experience in, but I’m excited for the challenge,” Berry noted. “I’ve adapted to racing at a lot of tracks I haven’t seen this season, whether it was Daytona, or coming to a place like Jennerstown. I like our chances come July 3.
”I think we’ve got good team, and we plan on doing some testing beforehand, so I’m looking forward to getting back short track racing with these guys.”
Tickets for the American Freedom 300 at Jennerstown Speedway Complex are currently on sale at www.carsracingtour.com. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the gate for adults 13 and older. Fans can also take advantage of a ticket and event t-shirt combo for just $35. Combo packages are in advance only.
The American Freedom 300 will be broadcast live by SPEED SPORT Network affiliate CARS Tour TV for those who can’t make it to the track.