Jesse Love is ambitiously targeting a full-time seat in the Richard Childress Cup Series as the 2026 NASCAR season approaches, following a series of strong performances with Richard Childress Racing in the Xfinity Series. With his sights set on NASCAR’s top level, Love’s trajectory and outspoken approach are making waves among fans, teams, and key figures in the sport.
Consistent Success Highlights Jesse Love’s NASCAR Rise
Jesse Love’s steady results in the Xfinity Series have established him as a promising talent in NASCAR. Since joining Richard Childress Racing in 2024, Love has tallied 35 top-10 finishes across 58 starts, a testament to his adaptability and focus. Reflecting on his progress, Love captured his approach and mindset:
“I think of myself as a driver that is a pretty complete pie without humongous spikes. I’m trying to grow the pie gradually and get better as a whole pretty evenly.”
– Jesse Love, Driver
Love’s transition to Xfinity followed a dominant stint in ARCA, where he claimed 10 race wins and the 2023 championship for Venturini Motorsports. Bypassing the Truck Series, he jumped directly to RCR and quickly became competitive, securing five poles and 18 top-five finishes through various types of tracks, from ovals to road courses. His ability to adjust from driving midgets, late models, and legends cars has only reinforced his reputation among veterans in the garage.
Across five part-time Cup Series appearances this year at tracks including Richmond and Kansas, Love has shown he can handle the transition to NASCAR’s flagship division. His average finish of 29.6 may not command headlines, but it signals valuable adaptation and learning as he prepares for bigger opportunities. Industry whispers about next year’s open seats—especially within the Richard Childress Cup Series—have put Love firmly in the spotlight.
Love’s Drive for a Full-Time Cup Ride Gains Momentum
In a recent conversation with reporter Jeff Gluck for The Athletic’s 12 Questions series, Love emphasized his readiness to move up:
“I feel like I’m well-prepared for a Cup seat. The biggest thing for me was proving I could make lap time in the Cup car, and I can definitely do that.”
– Jesse Love, Driver
This season, Love has demonstrated improvement not only as a driver but as a competitor capable of handling Cup Series race flow and strategy. His swift ascension—marked by consistent Xfinity results and confidence from five Cup starts—has positioned him as a front-runner for promotion. As speculation about 2026 Cup rosters intensifies, Love acknowledged the swirling rumors and his increased profile:
“There are a lot of moving pieces right now. When you’re doing well in Xfinity, the rumor mill spikes up. The fact I’m getting talked about a little on the Cup side is nice — both by rumor accounts and fans,”
– Jesse Love, Driver
One possible landing spot is Legacy Motor Club. According to FOX Sports’ Bob Pockrass, Love’s past relationship with Toyota during his ARCA tenure could be an asset:
“If they add a third car, Xfinity driver Jesse Love’s previous connection to Toyota could help him.”
– Bob Pockrass, FOX Sports Reporter
Legacy Motor Club, co-owned by Jimmie Johnson, currently fields Erik Jones and John Hunter Nemechek. However, a charter dispute with Rick Ware Racing and recent antitrust developments involving 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports could free up opportunities, aligning with Love’s ambitions and Toyota roots.
Adding fuel to his motivation, Love’s close friend Connor Zilisch signed a multi-year Cup contract with Trackhouse Racing and will take over the No. 99 Chevy from Daniel Suárez at the 2026 Daytona 500. Love, inspired by Zilisch’s breakthrough, commented on his own aspirations:
“It’s been a dream forever, so to finally see that light is cool,”
– Jesse Love, Driver
Together, Love and Zilisch co-host the Shake N Bake Sports YouTube show, sharing not only their on-track ambitions but also a tight personal bond, evident during incidents like the 2025 Talladega race. While Love’s preference for continuity with Richard Childress Racing remains clear, the example set by Zilisch and an open 2026 Cup field could accelerate his ascent.
Speaking Out on NASCAR’s Popularity and Driver Responsibility
Jesse Love does not hold back when discussing broader issues within NASCAR, particularly regarding the sport’s struggle to expand its fan base. He believes drivers themselves hold a crucial key to reigniting NASCAR’s mass appeal, drawing from his own journey through various competitive levels. Love boldly stated his viewpoint:
“For one, the drivers have to be superstars. If an NFL athlete walks in a room, you know it. If a stock car driver walks in, you don’t. I don’t know the exact formula of how you create that, but it starts off with drivers putting effort into it—and I’d say most drivers don’t. And I think our superstars right now don’t always put in the effort that’s needed,”
– Jesse Love, Driver
This perspective reflects a wider concern over dwindling engagement and declining television ratings. Nielsen numbers show NASCAR’s regular-season TV viewership dropped by 5% this year, and attendance at iconic venues like Bristol has fallen up to 10% compared to pre-pandemic figures, as reported by Speedway Motorsports. While initiatives like the Netflix series Full Speed have attempted to close the gap and present drivers as relatable figures, Love argues there is still much work to do to recapture the magic of personalities like Dale Earnhardt Jr., whose stardom energized crowds in the 2000s.
Love’s observations echo sentiments previously expressed by racing legends such as Dale Earnhardt Jr., underlining how driver visibility and marketability have an outsized impact on the sport’s health amid industry shifts and the rise of Formula 1 competition in the United States.
Emphasizing Star Power and People-Driven Storylines
Jesse Love passionately believes the essence of NASCAR lies with its competitors rather than the cars themselves, voicing his thoughts on what brings fans back to the grandstands and television screens:
“Nobody watches RC (remote-controlled car) racing and everybody watches NASCAR racing because they tune in for the people driving them. It’s about the person behind the wheel. Making the drivers the superstars again is the best way to do that,”
– Jesse Love, Driver
His call for renewed focus on driving personalities involves more than just media appearances—it means embracing rivalries, human stories, and authenticity. Love references eras where names like Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt fueled passionate debates and packed racetracks, aiming for a similar resurgence as the next generation steps into the spotlight.
What’s Next for Jesse Love and the Richard Childress Cup Series?
As the 2026 season draws closer, Jesse Love’s ambition to claim a full-time Richard Childress Cup Series ride stands out in NASCAR’s evolving landscape. His blend of consistent results, direct communication, and commitment to energizing the sport’s image has positioned him as a leading candidate during a dynamic period of team shakeups and increased competition for Cup seats.
If rumors materialize and team circumstances align, Love could soon join the ranks of NASCAR’s superstars, drawing additional fans to both himself and the Richard Childress Cup Series. With his drive and outspoken vision, the sport’s future may be shaped as much by rising personalities as by on-track machinery—and Jesse Love appears ready to lead that charge.
