As most Xfinity Series competitors rested before their journey to Mexico City’s Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Jesse Love took a different approach, choosing to compete in the Whelen Mazda MX-5 Series at Mid-Ohio. By spending the off-weekend at the challenging Lexington, Ohio track, Jesse Love races Whelen Mazda MX-5 Series at Mid-Ohio and secured a notable top-10 finish, continuing his streak of competitive performances beyond NASCAR.
Love’s Foray into Sports Car Racing
Driving the No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet as part of Richard Childress Racing in his usual NASCAR role, Jesse Love shifted gears this weekend to embrace the Whelen Mazda MX-5 Series at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Hailing from Menlo Park, California, Love first joined this series in March of the previous year at Sebring International Raceway, where he drove a Whelen-sponsored entry for Hendricks Motorsports and finished 12th and 21st. His return this season, with BSI Racing, saw him targeting rounds seven and eight of the championship on a course where he had prior laps from his ARCA Menards Series days.
Despite limited previous experience in the competitive sports car environment, the 20-year-old driver adapted quickly during the weekend. In the initial practice session at the 2.258-mile road course, he posted a top-10 lap time, signaling strong potential.
Performance in a Double-Header Event
The weekend featured two main races. In the first, Love qualified 19th out of the pack. As the 27-lap contest unfolded, he steadily advanced, carving his way into 10th position by the checkered flag—a significant climb that underscored his ability to handle the close-quarters action of the Mazda MX-5 field.
Jeremy Fletcher, representing McCumbee McAleer Racing, claimed the victory in Race One, finishing 0.882 seconds ahead of rookie Helio Meza. Gresham Wagner, Nathan Nicholson, and Justin Adakonis filled the remaining positions in the top five alongside these front-runners.
The second event on Sunday differed in that the track conditions were wet, posing an additional challenge for all entrants. Love started 20th, but unlike Saturday’s race, multiple full-course cautions made passing opportunities scarce. The Xfinity Series regular maneuvered through the field as best as he could, ultimately taking the 13th spot at the finish line.
Ethan Goulart, a first-year racer driving for Saito Motorsport Group, secured his first win by the slim margin of 0.131 seconds over Nathan Nicholson, while Jeremy Fletcher, Nate Cicero, and Westin Workman rounded out the top five in the rain-soaked race.
Looking Forward to NASCAR and Mexico City
With the Whelen Mazda MX-5 Series weekend wrapped up, Jesse Love’s attention now returns to his primary campaign in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. He will be part of the field heading to Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, highlighted by NASCAR’s much-anticipated return to Mexico City. Love’s decision to stay race-ready and gain additional experience in weekend competition could prove beneficial as he tackles the upcoming challenges in both series.
