Jesse Love secured the NASCAR Xfinity Series championship at Phoenix in an emotional finish, marking a major milestone as he became the first Richard Childress Racing driver to claim the title since Tyler Reddick. The new Jesse Love Xfinity Series champion outpaced his best friend and competitor, Connor Zilisch, to reach this career-defining victory.
Love’s Triumph Under Pressure at Phoenix
The Phoenix race proved pivotal for Jesse Love, both personally and for Richard Childress Racing (RCR), which had been waiting for a championship moment. The pressure was evident in Love’s struggle to articulate his feelings after realizing his lifelong dream, showing how deeply the victory resonated. The win brought much-needed success to an RCR program and highlighted Love’s perseverance through the challenges of the season.
“I just feel so clean, you know, relieved,”
Jesse Love said on The CW.
“It’s been a tough year for me, and man, I’ve just put so much work into it, and people like my dad and Scott Speed, and my whole 2 team that work just as hard for my dream as I have for my own. Thank you to Whelen. For one last time, this car was as fast as Xfinity Mobile. And it really hasn’t set in yet. I try to just tune out all the emotion. It doesn’t feel real. It doesn’t feel real at all.”
– Jesse Love, NASCAR Xfinity Series Champion
Rivalry on the Track: Love Versus Zilisch
While Jesse Love and Connor Zilisch share a close friendship, the dynamic shifted dramatically during the decisive 200-lap race in Phoenix. Both competitors pushed each other to the limits, with Love acknowledging the intensity required to surpass his best friend on the track in order to capture the title.
“Yeah, he’s my best friend in the whole world, but not when we’re racing each other,”
Love explained.
“We race each other hard but fair, and yeah, I knew I had to take it there. I knew he was going to put it on my door, I knew I had to throttle up and just get my nose ahead. … He was running a really good race. My car was just better tonight and allowed me to roll the center, get off the corner better. I mean, it was tongue out and wanted this. Hats off to the 88 team and Connor for all they’ve done this year. Tonight’s about my guys. I can’t believe it, you know?”
– Jesse Love, NASCAR Xfinity Series Champion
From Opening Struggles to Victory Lane
Jesse Love’s path to the Xfinity Series championship wasn’t without difficulty. Early in the Phoenix race, the No. 2 RCR team faced significant challenges, struggling to keep pace with competitors. With the help of crew chief Danny Stockman and key adjustments during the race, Love’s car performance improved dramatically, ultimately paving the way for victory.
“We were so bad to start. I couldn’t believe how bad we were,”
Jesse Love said.
“We were awful. And Danny put one of his magic wrenches in there, and we came to life. Man, I’m just so grateful for everybody at ECR … This means the world to me and everybody that’s been on this journey with me over the last few years, and especially the last eight months or so I’ve really tried to just rebuild myself and come back better. So, I just, I feel so clean and relieved.”
– Jesse Love, NASCAR Xfinity Series Champion
Season Bookends with Victories
Jesse Love’s championship campaign was marked by standout wins at two marquee tracks—opening the year with a victory at Daytona and closing it out with the Phoenix triumph that clinched the title. This pattern of success demonstrates his resilience and ability to perform under crucial circumstances, establishing his position among the elite in the Xfinity Series.
What This Means for Love, RCR, and NASCAR
Jesse Love’s emergence as Xfinity Series champion signals an important turning point for Richard Childress Racing, reigniting the team’s legacy within the series and inspiring confidence for future seasons. Love’s journey through adversity, strong relationships with figures like Danny Stockman and Scott Speed, and his capacity to compete fiercely even against close friends such as Connor Zilisch, all underline the emotional and competitive layers that defined this victory. With this achievement, expectations rise for both Love and the RCR team as they look ahead to the next chapter in their racing careers.
"It doesn't feel real."
An emotional Jesse Love letting it sink in from @mobil1racing Victory Lane. pic.twitter.com/4s7hITS0VX
— The CW Sports (@TheCW_Sports) November 2, 2025
