Jesse Love, fresh off a 2025 Xfinity Series championship win, is embracing the legendary winner’s mentality of Michael Jordan as he enters a pivotal new chapter in his NASCAR journey. Drawing inspiration from this NBA icon, Love is focused on redefining his drive and motivation as the forthcoming season approaches, making the Jesse Love Michael Jordan mindset a central factor in his preparations.
Seeking New Motivation Beyond the Track
Entering the next season, 20-year-old Jesse Love faces uncharted territory. Previously, much of his drive came from quietly comparing himself to Connor Zilisch, a fellow young star. With Zilisch moving up to the Cup Series and only competing in select Xfinity races, Love is losing the main benchmark that spurred his intense competitive spirit. In a revealing interview conducted by Eric Estepp, Love shared the challenge of searching for new sources of motivation going forward.
When Connor’s gone next year, he’s going to still run some Xfinity, but for the most part, when he’s gone, I’m going to have to, I guess, kind of find that new motivation. And I haven’t really figured out 100% what that is going to be yet because I don’t know. I’m not going to force anything.
– Jesse Love, NASCAR Driver
This openness underscores a vital aspect of top competition—motivation is personal and ever-evolving. For Love, Zilisch inadvertently played the role of measuring stick, propelling him to new heights in the 2025 season.
The Influence of Michael Jordan’s Champion Philosophy
Acknowledging that every high-level athlete depends on a unique internal spark, Love elaborated on the importance of having a clear purpose behind hard work and persistence when it matters most.
But everybody has their own, I guess, piece of motivation that, you know, like when they really don’t want to do something, they do it anyway because of X, right?
– Jesse Love, NASCAR Driver
As Love’s former competitive focus begins a new journey, the young champion is turning toward the legacy of Michael Jordan for guidance. He cited the basketball superstar’s belief in the responsibility to entertain fans and deliver exceptional performances every time as particularly compelling.
For Michael Jordan, it was, you know, I think his was always like the fans pay all this money to see somebody extraordinary play. I’m gonna be that guy,
– Jesse Love, NASCAR Driver
For me, you know, this year it was trying to beat somebody. And that was, you know, for the most part, I haven’t really told him this, but for the most part it was Connor, right? And next year, I don’t know what my motivations, necessarily going to be yet.
– Jesse Love, NASCAR Driver
This mindset shift signals a notable transition for Love as he adapts from chasing an individual rival to pursuing greatness for its own sake, inspired by one of sports’ most celebrated figures.
Preparing for the Next Chapter
Jesse Love now faces the prospect of defending his title and chasing new achievements without the familiar push from a close competitor like Connor Zilisch. By adopting the essence of Michael Jordan’s mentality—delivering elite performances as a standard, not just a goal—Love is setting a higher bar for himself, no matter who lines up beside him. The coming season will test his ability to cultivate internal motivation, blending the lessons of personal rivalry with Jordan’s ethos of excellence, as Love seeks to make his mark on NASCAR’s biggest stages.
