JACKSONVILLE, NC – It took Josh Berry 104 laps to take the lead in Sunday evening’s Solid Rock Carriers Battle of the Stars, but once he did, he never looked back.
Berry started on the pole in the 150-lap race at the Onslow County motorsports complex, but tire conservation was key, and Berry spent much of the race saving tires before mounting his charge. At the start of the third and final stage, Berry quickly displaced the drivers who had spent much of the race out front en route to victory.
“We just tried to save early on,” Berry said in victory lane on the Racing America television broadcast. “I really felt like, pretty early in the race, we had a really good car. Really wrapped the bottom really well in turns three and four and come off straight and low and not take the extra distance. We just had a really good car. Thankful for all my time with this group. We built something really special. I’ve been here doing this for 10-11 years. I want to thank Dale [Earnhardt, Jr.], Kelley [Earnhardt Miller], L.W. [Miller], all my sponsors and all my time. It’s been a pleasure racing with these guys.”
Berry is set to run full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2022, after winning two races for JR Motorsports in 2021 in the series, bringing an end to a storied Late Model Stock Car career that culminated with a win in the Solid Rock Carriers Battle of the Stars. Berry may make one more start this year at Southern National Motorsports Park in the Thanksgiving Classic and is not sure if he will be able to race Late Model Stock Cars next year.
Justin Johnson raced his way from deep in the field to finish second, also playing the tire management game, while Connor Hall finished third. Carter Langley and Conner Jones rounded out the top-five.
Chris Burns won the first stage while Trevor Ward won the second stage. The first stage saw four lead changes while Ward dominated the second stage. Burns led laps in all three stages of the race – the only driver to do so.
“We actually were riding pretty decent,” Burns said. “We had something in the suspension bind up and it generated a major push. We had plenty of tire left. Just part failure of some sort. I don’t think we had anything for Berry but I think we could have finished in the top-five.”
Brandon Clements ultimately had the highest finish of Goodyear All American Speedway regulars, placing eighth.
Chase Singletary picked up the win in an incredible Legends finish over Carson Haislip, while Andrew Warner was victorious in Bombers, Richard Quinn took the checkered flag in U-CARs, and Phoenyx Kimball won in Bandoleros.
Goodyear All American Speedway is Jacksonville’s Action Attraction featuring racing and other events. For more information about Goodyear All American Speedway, check out the speedway’s website, like/follow “Goodyear All American Speedway” on Facebook, or follow the track on Instagram.
