Josh Berry’s second-place finish in the Thanksgiving Classic did not survive post-race inspection. The result was overturned hours after the 250-lap Late Model Stock Car event at Southern National Motorsports Park, with Berry's No. 17 Tom Usry Racing team disqualified.Doug Barnes Jr., who crossed the line first, was confirmed the official winner after a prolonged protest period that saw both teams placed under a detailed inspection. The ruling triggered reactions online, especially from fans who felt the ordeal backfired on Berry’s camp after they had initially filed the protest.Several teams had already been vocal for weeks about wanting Barnes’ car torn down. Marcus Richmond, representing Berry’s No. 17 group, pressed for that inspection after the final late model race of the year. Officials checked Barnes’ wiring, electronics, and even his helmet and firesuit for traction control, while the Barnes team counter-protested Berry as the garage waited for a resolution.NASCAR insider Matt Weaver reported the outcome on X:“Josh Berry and Tom Usry Racing 17 disqualified from their second-place Thanksgiving Classic finish.”Weaver also said the Tom Usry Racing statement that followed the ruling. The team acknowledged the ruling, explaining that the part in question had cleared inspection multiple times earlier in the season. They added that they respect the ruling and accept full responsibility, shifting focus to 2026.Fans turned sharply once the decision became public. One fan wrote on X:“How f*****g dumb do they look protesting Doug then getting their own s**t thrown out. F’n laughable.”🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸DUMB 🫏 TRUCKER🏁🏁🏁 @truckindumbassLINKHow fucking dumb do they look protesting Doug, then getting their own shit thrown out? F'n laughable.Others echoed the same point, calling the sequence ironic given that Josh Berry’s camp triggered the initial teardown of the eventual race winner.“That backfired, didn't it?”Cowboyfan105d @CowboyFan105dLINKCup boy can’t even win a late model race when he is cheating!!!!Premier Racing Setups @PRSsetupsLINKTough break for them, but it highlights the importance of compliance in racing. Every detail counts during inspections.Team Blaney @teamblaneyLINKClassic late model drama 🤣The protest stretched long past the checkered flag. Barnes left the track before the ruling but made it clear he intended to keep the trophy. Josh Berry also departed early, avoiding the brewing feud. Barnes was later confirmed the winner of the 25th running of the event at Southern National.Josh Berry’s restart miscue proves costly long before the disqualification: “I just spaced out”Josh Berry (73) leads the 2018 Late Model Stock Tour race at Hickory Motor Speedway. Source: GettyThe Thanksgiving Classic is the season-ending event for Late Model Stock Car teams at the .4-mile track in Lucama, North Carolina. Doug Barnes missed practice and qualifying and started from the back, as Ronnie Bassett Jr. won the pole.Josh Berry started on the second row and settled into second by Lap 20, making early gains as teams cycled through quick two-tire stops. The race changed near the halfway point, on a Lap 146 restart that collected several contenders.As Berry explained to Matt Weaver, he missed the clutch shift on a restart while moving from second to third gear.“I think I didn’t use the clutch. I’ve had trouble from going to Cup cars, Xfinity cars, to coming back here, and I think I just spaced out, made a mental mistake there,” he said.Berry expanded on the issue, saying he never got the car properly into fourth gear. That error caused a multi-car pileup and sent Lee Pulliam, making his JR Motorsports debut, spinning as both drivers dropped deep into the field.Both drove through heavy traffic and recovered to chase Doug Barnes as the laps wound down. But by the time they reached the front again, Barnes took the lead on Lap 196 from Tyler Matthews. The gap increased to more than three seconds, as Berry crossed the line second, Pulliam third.The teardown confirmed Barnes’ car was within the rulebook while Berry’s No. 17 violated the part specification. The disqualification wiped Josh Berry from the results and concluded his offseason. His next appearance will come in the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series opener on February 1 at the Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium.