Jesse Love secured the title of NASCAR Xfinity Champion after an electrifying victory at Phoenix Raceway on Friday night, making a decisive move in the closing 24 laps to clinch both the race and championship. Despite not being the clear favorite beforehand, Love and Richard Childress Racing overcame significant setbacks to capture one of the season‘s most coveted achievements.
This win for Jesse Love and the No. 2 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet did not come easily, as the team rebounded from a sluggish start and steadily improved their car with each pit stop. Facing stiff competition from JR Motorsports championship contenders, Love demonstrated resilience and adaptability, ultimately prevailing for his first Xfinity Series title. The victory marks the sixth championship for Richard Childress Racing and the second for his crew chief, Danny Stockman.
Love’s Season-Defining Race at Phoenix
Throughout the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series season, different drivers dominated various races, but Friday night belonged to Jesse Love. After securing his position among final contenders following a tough stint at Martinsville Speedway, Love entered Phoenix determined to make his mark. He outperformed favored drivers like Connor Zilisch, who had won 10 NXS races and was considered a top pick for the title. Zilisch, despite leading five different times for a total of 34 laps, was ultimately overtaken by his close friend Love with just 24 laps to go, eventually finishing third.
Defending champion Justin Allgaier showed early strength by leading 83 laps and winning Stage 2, appearing poised for a repeat championship. However, a lengthy pit stop cost Allgaier precious time, resulting in a fifth-place finish after running up front for a significant portion of the race. Another contender, Carson Kvapil, struggled to break into the top ranks and crossed the line in 13th place.
Love’s triumph at Phoenix marked his first win since the season opener at Daytona International Speedway, a fitting bookend to a challenging and rewarding year.
Recovering from Early Struggles
The journey to the championship was far from straightforward for Love and his team. At Martinsville Speedway the previous weekend, Love had started deep in the field and could only climb to a 23rd-place finish. Playoff points provisionally secured his spot in the Championship 4 headed for Phoenix, but the team knew significant improvements were needed.
Preparations showed promise as Love logged the third-fastest speed in Friday’s practice and qualified sixth. However, when the Phoenix race began, both Love and crew chief Danny Stockman faced challenges as the car’s performance initially lagged. Their persistent efforts and adjustments during pit stops slowly reversed their fortunes and propelled them toward the front.
“We were so bad to start, I couldn’t believe how bad we were,”
Jesse Love observed. Danny Stockman, as crew chief, worked relentlessly to improve the car’s setup during the race, and these tweaks proved crucial to their ultimate performance. Love emphasized his deep appreciation for everyone at ECR, Richard Childress Racing, and Chevrolet for their support.
Reflecting on his journey, Love displayed significant gratitude for all those who have stood by him throughout his 10-year racing career, especially during the past eight months as he worked to rebuild and grow as a driver. He remarked,
“I feel just so clean and relieved.”
Beating a Close Friend in the Championship Battle
The rivalry between Jesse Love and Connor Zilisch added an extra layer of intensity to the Phoenix finale. Zilisch, driving the No. 88 for JR Motorsports, seemed poised to capitalize on his season-long momentum but was ultimately edged out by Love in the final segment. The two friends frequently spend time together off the track, but their rivalry on race day was evident as they traded the lead.
“He’s my best friend in the whole world, just not when we’re racing each other,”
Love said. In the heat of competition, Love pushed hard to retake the lead, stating,
“We raced each hard and fair. I feel I had to take it there, he was at my door and I just had to throttle up and get my nose ahead.”
Praising his rival, Love commented,
“He ran a really good race, my car was just better tonight. During those closing laps, I was just getting ready for a caution and I can’t believe it didn’t come out. I was as shocked as anybody when it didn’t happen.”
Emotional Family Triumph in Victory Lane
The victory at Phoenix was laden with emotion for Jesse Love and his family. The influence of his father, Jesshill Love, who once raced midget cars in California and played an integral role in supporting his son’s early ambitions, was especially significant on this night. The presence and commitment of Love’s family and the No. 2 team formed the backbone of his championship run.
“We have put so much work into this and people like my dad and this whole No. 2 team,”
Love said in Victory Lane. Reflecting on the shared achievement, he added,
“They have worked as hard for my dream as I have for my own. It really hasn’t set in yet.”
Trying to process the moment, Love confessed,
“This doesn’t feel real, this doesn’t feel real at all.”
The 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship marks a significant step for Jesse Love and Richard Childress Racing. Overcoming adversity, outpacing championship favorites, and turning a season of ups and downs into a storybook win, Love’s journey will inspire many throughout the world of motorsports. As preparations for the next season begin, all eyes will be on the defending champion to see if he can continue his meteoric rise in NASCAR racing.
