Jesse Love has announced a significant milestone in his racing career, confirming a Jesse Love RCR sponsorship extension as Whelen Engineering will continue sponsoring his No. 2 Chevrolet with Richard Childress Racing until the conclusion of the 2026 Xfinity Series season. The renewal strengthens the ongoing partnership between the two, reflecting Whelen Engineering’s active support for motorsports and the broader NASCAR community.
Whelen Engineering Renews its Commitment
Whelen Engineering, a leader in warning equipment production for automotive, aviation, and mass notification sectors, is deepening its association with Richard Childress Racing. Since 2022, the brand’s sponsorship of RCR has gone beyond branding, supporting initiatives such as the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, helping raise awareness for these programs within and beyond the world of racing.
Love’s Performance Highlights Growing Potential
After clinching the 2024 Rookie of the Year award, Jesse Love is making waves in the Xfinity Series playoffs. He enjoys a considerable 40-point advantage, positioning him as a favorite to advance out of the Round of 8. As the playoffs progress, Love’s impressive results have highlighted both his talent and the strength of his collaboration with Whelen Engineering and RCR.
Expressing his thoughts on the extended partnership and the support he receives, Love shared via rarracing.com,
“I’m proud to continue my relationship with Richard Childress Racing and Whelen Engineering and look forward to building upon our already strong foundation. Whelen’s strong commitment to motorsports is unmatched. Thank you to Sonny, Geoff, Peter, and everyone at Whelen for their faith in me. My goal is to go out and win races and championships for RCR and Whelen.”
—Jesse Love, Driver
Recent Playoff Battles and Teammate Rivalry
Jesse Love recently achieved the Busch Light Pole position at Talladega Superspeedway during the playoffs, yet finished tenth after being outpaced by teammate Austin Hill. The event highlighted fierce intra-team competition and the unpredictable nature of the series.
Fuel Strategy Challenges at Talladega
During the most recent Xfinity Series event at Talladega Superspeedway, Love contended directly with Austin Hill until an unexpected fuel depletion forced him to pit unexpectedly, diminishing his chances in the closing laps. Both drivers were on similar strategies, making the outcome particularly frustrating for Love, who shared his candid reaction after the race:
“Obviously, Austin just belt-to-a**’d us. But other than that, you know, I feel like we had a really good day and made the right call. I have a lot of faith in Danny’s pit calls, and I’m definitely shocked. Like, I’m definitely surprised I was running out.”
—Jesse Love, Driver
“That car was so fast in the draft. So, definitely surprised and we’ll look at it, but we did a good job today, kind of just managing possible damage,” he added.
—Jesse Love, Driver
Playoff Picture and Martinsville Prospects
To secure his path to Phoenix, Love needs to earn at least 15 stage points at the upcoming Martinsville race. Carson Kvapil of JR Motorsports sits close behind in the standings, just above the cutline. In contrast, both Connor Zilisch and Justin Allgaier have already clinched their places in the championship finale, ramping up the stakes for the remaining contenders.
In his last appearance at Martinsville Speedway, Love was involved in an accident and failed to finish, while Austin Hill took victory amid criticism for aggressive racing tactics. The upcoming race at Martinsville represents a critical opportunity for Love to reaffirm his standing and propel himself toward a championship chance at Phoenix.
What the Extension Means for Love and RCR
The extended partnership between Jesse Love, Richard Childress Racing, and Whelen Engineering provides stability and confidence as the driver continues his trajectory in the Xfinity Series. Whelen’s ongoing sponsorship not only underscores its dedication to supporting racing talent, but also enhances initiatives that benefit safety and community programs. As Love pushes through the final stages of the playoffs, this solid backing positions him as a formidable contender for races and championships through 2026.
