Jesse Love, the standout NASCAR competitor, attributes his achievements as the Jesse Love Xfinity Series champion to the unwavering support and sacrifices of his father. In a revealing interview for NASCAR’s new RISING documentary series, Love shared how his journey to becoming a champion has been shaped by close family bonds and a determined work ethic.
How Jesse Love’s Father Helped Shape His Racing Career
During the premiere of RISING, viewers gained insight into Jesse Love’s relationship with his father, who has played a significant role throughout his son’s ascent in racing. Competing for Richard Childress Racing, Love described how his father supported his career not just through encouragement but by purposefully complicating his training sessions. Rather than relying on optimal conditions, Love’s father would deliberately alter the car’s setup—making it either too tight or too loose—to test his skills and ensure he learned to handle adversity on the track.
According to Love, this approach was designed to force him to develop as a driver, pushing through challenges rather than cruising to easy victories. Instead of simply giving him the best possible car, his father’s mentorship ensured Love never took his advantage for granted, preparing him for the tough competition he would face at higher levels.
“My dad told me this about a few years ago. He was like, if I knew we were going to a weekend and we, like, had an advantage on the field, like, we have fresh motor and had good tires and new shocks and springs and whatnot. He was like, I would make your car plow or make your car super loose, just to make you, like, work at it and not just go out there and learn nothing and lead every lap.”
Jesse Love has been vocal about the impact his father—who put his own life and aspirations on hold for the sake of the family—had on his career. Love emphasized that his success on the racetrack is a gesture of gratitude to his father’s devotion.
“He’s the most special person in my life. You know, we’ve been through a lot together, and he just sacrificed a lot for me and put his life on hold. So, yeah, it’s the only way I know how to say thank you to him. So it feels he’s the reason I want to do this. I feel like that’s somewhere the closest.”
Championship Triumph and Season Highlights
Jesse Love entered NASCAR’s Xfinity Series in 2024 with Richard Childress Racing and quickly emerged as a top contender, racking up three victories and capturing a championship behind the wheel of the #2 Chevy. Committed to the team, Love is set to continue in the same car for the 2026 NASCAR season.
Love’s milestone moment came when he earned his first Xfinity Series championship in just his second full-time season. The 2025 campaign began with a notable win at Daytona International Speedway, which set the tone for a strong run that landed him in the playoffs. Love consistently ranked among the top ten throughout the season, often standing out as the only non-JR Motorsports driver competing for the Championship 4 title.
In a dramatic conclusion at Phoenix, Jesse Love outpaced experienced rivals like the defending champion Justin Allgaier, as well as Conor Zilisch and Carson Kvapil. The victory solidified his reputation among the new wave of NASCAR stars.
“I just feel so clean. So relieved. It’s been a tough year for me and people like my dad and my whole 2 team to work as hard on my own dream as I have… it just doesn’t feel real.”
Statistically, Love’s sophomore season was remarkable, with three wins, sixteen top-five finishes, and forty top-ten results in sixty-six races. He achieved an average starting position of ninth and completed races with an average finish just above eleventh, demonstrating both consistency and adaptability.
What Jesse Love’s Champion Status Means for NASCAR
Jesse Love’s success story is closely tied to his father’s mentorship and the dedicated effort of Richard Childress Racing. By overcoming seasoned opponents like Justin Allgaier, Conor Zilisch, and Carson Kvapil, and making significant playoff runs, Love has established himself as a central figure for fans of the Xfinity Series. His ongoing presence, and the emotional journey behind his victories, make his career one to watch as NASCAR continues to highlight the next generation of racing talent through series like RISING.
The achievements of Jesse Love serve as inspiration, underscoring how family support, perseverance, and personal sacrifice can drive success in the intensely competitive world of motorsports. His story is expected to resonate for seasons to come, especially as he defends his championship and pursues future victories on NASCAR’s biggest stages.
"He's the most special person in my life."
See more of the incredible relationship between @jesselovejr1 and his father during tonight's debut episode of RISING! pic.twitter.com/rb83wqPdc6
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) November 17, 2025
