NASCAR: Kevin Harvick replacement confirmed in ‘major announcement’
By Asher Fair
Stewart-Haas Racing have confirmed that Josh Berry is indeed set to replace Kevin Harvick, beginning in the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season.
After Stewart-Haas Racing revealed on Monday that they had scheduled a “major announcement” for Wednesday afternoon, many NASCAR fans were under the impression that the team would be confirming Kevin Harvick’s replacement for the 2024 Cup Series season.
Harvick announced before the 2023 season, his 23rd in the sport and 10th with Stewart-Haas Racing behind the wheel of the No. 4 car, that it would be his last, and he subsequently confirmed a 2024 move to the Fox Sports broadcast booth.
Josh Berry, who impressed teams with his performance while filling in for the injured Chase Elliott and Alex Bowman at Hendrick Motorsports earlier this season, emerged as the most likely candidate to replace the 2014 champion behind the wheel of the No. 4 Ford next year.
When it was revealed that he was finalizing a management deal with KHI (Kevin Harvick, Inc.) Management, the seat was seen as his to lose.
Stewart-Haas Racing have indeed confirmed that Josh Berry is set to join the team in the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season.
Berry is currently in his third season in the Xfinity Series since returning to the sport in 2021, and he is in his second season as a full-time driver.
The 32-year-old Hendersonville, Tennessee native joined JR Motorsports in 2021 and won races behind the wheel of the No. 8 Chevrolet at Martinsville Speedway and Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and he made it to the Championship 4 in his first season as a full-time driver last year after winning at Dover Motor Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, and Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Through 14 races on this year’s schedule, he has recorded 10 top 10 finishes and six top five finishes, including a top finish of second place at Dover Motor Speedway, and sits in fifth in the point standings.
In eight Cup Series starts this year, he recorded three top 10 finishes, including a top finish of second place at Richmond Raceway. He had made just two career Cup Series starts prior to 2023, and both came in 2021 as a substitute driver at Spire Motorsports.
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Stewart-Haas Racing revealed that sponsorship for Berry’s No. 4 Ford is totally open, as expected with Busch Light having been rumored to leave the team upon Harvick’s retirement and join Trackhouse Racing Team and Ross Chastain. JR Motorsports’ plans for the No. 8 Chevrolet are set to be announced at a later date.