Jesse Love racing at the Xfinity Series Championship in Phoenix, 2025. [Image Source: CATCHFENCE]
Jesse Love secured the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series championship at Phoenix Raceway on Saturday, following a dramatic late-race sequence that underscored his season-long drive. Love’s remarkable climb earned him his second win of the 2025 season and confirmed his place at the helm of the series, with his team Richard Childress Racing and rivals in close pursuit through the final laps.
Decisive Moments Shape the Race at Phoenix
The race took a tense turn when a caution involving Ryan Sieg bunched the field in the late stages, putting extra pressure on every driver as championship hopes rode on pit road strategy and restarts. Love’s pit crew delivered an exceptional stop, getting him out ahead before the restart. Despite momentarily falling behind his friend and fellow driver Connor Zilisch after the green flag, Love reclaimed the lead with 24 laps remaining and never looked back.
In the closing laps, Love maintained control, holding off a strong field that included Aric Almirola, Zilisch, Justin Allgaier, Carson Kvapil, and others competing for both race superiority and vital championship points. His victory marked his third career triumph and capped off an eventful season finale.
Championship Clinched and Emotional Reflections
After the race, Jesse Love shared his gratitude for his team and the support behind his career, telling CW Sports,
Image of: Xfinity Series
“I just put so much work into it… the people like my dad, Scott Speed, the whole No. 2 team that have worked so hard for my dream as I have for my own,”
—Jesse Love, Driver. The achievement will see Love return in 2026 to defend his title with the No. 2 Chevrolet, backed by Richard Childress Racing.
The emotion in the garage was heightened by the official confirmation: LOVE CONQUERS ALL!@jesselovejr1 is the 2025 Xfinity Series Champion! pic.twitter.com/u7Re5Z0fmO— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) November 2, 2025
Other Notable Finishes and Honors
Aric Almirola finished second in the race, and though he missed the driver’s title, he secured the owners championship for Joe Gibbs Racing’s No. 19 Toyota. Connor Zilisch, who intends to race full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series for Trackhouse Racing in 2026, finished third and sealed his status as the Xfinity Series Rookie of the Year. Justin Allgaier and Carson Kvapil, also among the Championship 4, finished fifth and thirteenth, respectively.
Complete Results from the Season Finale
The top five were rounded out by polesitter Brandon Jones and Justin Allgaier, while Sammy Smith, Taylor Gray, Sheldon Creed, Austin Hill, and Justin Bonsignore made up the rest of the top ten. Harrison Burton placed eleventh, Carson Kvapil thirteenth, Christian Eckes was sixteenth, Brenden Queen finished nineteenth, and Ryan Sieg ended in thirty-seventh after his late-race caution involvement.
Season Wrap and Upcoming Events
The conclusion of the 2025 season sets the tone for 2026, with the NASCAR O’Reily Auto Parts calendar set to begin anew at the United Rentals 300 on February 14. As teams and drivers regroup, all eyes will be on Jesse Love as he aims to defend his Xfinity Series championship, and on rising talents such as Zilisch as they ascend to new challenges within NASCAR’s top tiers.
