Josh Berry was a friend to Chase Elliott before becoming his relief driver

gettyimages-1472684196 — AVONDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 10: Josh Berry, driver of the #9 Kelley Blue Book Chevrolet, walks the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Cup Series United Rentals Work United 500 at Phoenix Raceway on March 10, 2023 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)

When Chase Elliott was injured a snowboarding accident two days before last Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, it was no surprise that Hendrick Motorsports turned to its Xfinity Series affiliate, JR Motorsports, for a relief driver.

And given the friendship between Elliott and Josh Berry, it was no surprise Berry was the driver picked to fill in while Elliott recovers from a broken left tibia.

“He’s been a friend and supporter of mine for years, even when we go back to my one-off Xfinity opportunities when Chase was there at JR Motorsports,” Berry said.

“He always helped me if I needed it, so I know he’ll be there for me. I’m sure I’ll talk to him… I feel like I need to get my feet wet and get some laps and then go to him with my experience and get his side of things.”