Jesse Love secured his first NASCAR Xfinity Championship win at Phoenix Raceway, capturing attention with a dramatic finish against multiple JR Motorsports rivals on Saturday. The Jesse Love NASCAR championship win, marked by controversy and powerful responses, came after the Richard Childress Racing (RCR) driver outpaced his best friend and key challenger, Connor Zilisch, to earn the championship trophy.
Love Claims Victory Over Dominant Competitor at Phoenix Raceway
The NASCAR championship event at Phoenix Raceway saw Jesse Love, just 20 years old, surpass three JR Motorsports drivers to earn his maiden title in a tightly contested race. Entering as an underdog compared to Zilisch, who had claimed ten wins throughout a standout rookie season, Love proved resilient by executing a well-timed pass with 25 laps remaining, ultimately holding off Zilisch at the finish line.
During a post-race interview, Love addressed a wave of social media criticism regarding whether his limited two-win season justified earning the championship over Zilisch’s decade of dominance. Granting reporters an unfiltered response, Love remarked:
“Well, I really don’t give a sh*t what people think. I get a big old trophy, I get a nice check, I get a lot of things that come out of this.”
— Jesse Love, Driver
Despite acknowledging the skepticism surrounding his championship, Love emphasized that he respects fans’ perspectives, even if detractors do not bother him personally. He continued:
“So, their opinions are valid. Obviously, the world would be kind of a boring place if we all agreed on everything, and that’s never going to happen. So, yeah, I’m going to look at it, I don’t really care at the end of the day, but I still like to be a part of, I guess, a circle of life and see how people react to certain things. And I have my thoughts on it, and they’re going to have theirs, and that doesn’t bother me at all.”
— Jesse Love, Driver
Connor Zilisch Reflects on Challenging Race Outcome
Connor Zilisch, representing JR Motorsports, had been the clear front-runner throughout the season but fell short of clinching the title in Arizona. His car struggled for pace in the deciding race, despite relentless efforts. Zilisch described his experience, stating:
“I don’t really know what we fought, but I feel like every run we were the second-best car. Whether it was Justin [Allgaier] or Jesse [Love], we just never were the best car.”
— Connor Zilisch, Driver
When asked if the title felt any less disappointing because his close friend won, Zilisch replied:
“No, it doesn’t make it feel any better. No. Good for Jesse, I’m really happy for him. Yeah, no.”
— Connor Zilisch, Driver
Championship Stats and Road Ahead for Jesse Love and Rivals
Jesse Love completed 33 starts during the season, tallying two wins, nine top-five finishes, and 20 top-ten results. His consistent performance, combined with competitive teamwork from RCR, allowed him to average a starting spot of 9.094 and finishing position of 11.375. Meanwhile, Justin Allgaier, Zilisch, and the rest of the Championship 4—from teams like JR Motorsports and prominent organizations in NASCAR—will be reassessing their strategies heading into next year.
The significance of Love’s championship extends beyond the trophy; it spotlights the unpredictable nature of winner-takes-all racing and the emotions it stirs among fans and drivers alike. As Jesse Love celebrates his breakthrough victory, debate about the championship’s legitimacy continues to swirl, promising ongoing discussions that will fuel NASCAR storylines throughout the off-season.
Jesse Love on whether he is would check social media to see what the reaction is to his championship. pic.twitter.com/fbIflffi2x
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) November 2, 2025
