Josh Berry’s NASCAR playoff run is over.
Berry was forced to pit on lap 77 of the NASCAR Bristol 500-lap race when it appeared his brake rotors caught fire. Berry exited his car in Stage 1 of the Bass Pro Shops Night Race because of smoke filling the inside of his Ford.
“It definitely started smoking a few laps before we pitted,” Berry told a USA Network reporter. “We tried to ride it out a few laps. It was getting pretty bad there. Just so disappointing. That was going to be a lot of fun.”
Berry, a Hendersonville native, has struggled in the NASCAR playoffs. He failed to get out of Stage 1 in all three races of the Round of 16. That included the first lap at Darlington and 35 laps last week at Gateway. And now at Bristol.
Berry made the NASCAR playoffs after securing his first NASCAR Cup win at Las Vegas. That one bright spot, though, has been surrounded by disappointment. But the regular season has been nothing like his disappointing playoffs.
NASCAR Bristol race has tire issues
Berry’s brake issues has been just part of the issue at Bristol Motor Speedway for the Bass Pro Shops Night Race. After a weekend with very little tire wear, tires have been torn up in Stage 1 of the Cup race. Teams have been forced to come in and pit thanks to tires wearing down quickly.
