Jesse Love secured the Xfinity Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway, capturing a hard-fought victory that pays tribute to his father’s influence and devotion. The Jesse Love championship victory marked the culmination of years of effort, sacrifice, and commitment between father and son, leaving an indelible mark on NASCAR’s 2025 season.
A Remarkable Triumph at Phoenix Raceway
On November 1, 2025, under the desert night at Avondale’s Phoenix Raceway, 20-year-old Jesse Love, piloting for Richard Childress Racing, defied expectations with a dramatic win against tough competition. The field included three formidable entries from JR Motorsports and, notably, Connor Zilisch, who had demonstrated dominant form throughout the season.
Love’s victory in the Xfinity Series Championship race was a testament to both his own skill and the unwavering support of his father, Jesshill ‘Duke’ Love. This moment was about more than a trophy; it was the realization of a lifelong dream cultivated through over 15 years of hard work in the world of motorsport.
Deep Family Bonds Drive Success
The triumph was underscored by raw emotion. Jesse Love, reflecting on his journey during the NASCAR Awards night, made it clear how pivotal his father’s role had been:
“The sacrifices that he’s made, the miles that we’ve travelled together, and the nights in the shop. It’s a debt I know, I’ll never be able to repay, but I’ll spend my entire life trying,”
— Jesse Love, NASCAR driver
Jesse grew up surrounded by racing, learning not just the nuances of speed but the value of resilience and persistence. His father, Duke, had been a midget racer himself and shared tracks with legends like Jeff Gordon, passing on wisdom accumulated from intense West Coast competitions. Those family travels and shop sessions became lessons that stayed with Jesse, shaping his pathway to success.
The Power of Tough Love and Enduring Sacrifice
During the debut episode of NASCAR’s RISING series, Jesse Love’s gratitude and vulnerability were apparent as he recounted the pivotal influence his father had in his life:
“He’s the most special person in my life,”
— Jesse Love, NASCAR driver
He explained how Duke put his own career as a real estate investor and lawyer on hold, investing countless hours and resources to support Jesse’s racing ambitions. Duke wasn’t just a supporter watching from the sidelines; he was there in the trenches with Jesse, wrenching on trucks, loading trailers, and ensuring his son had every possible chance to reach his potential.
“We’ve been through a lot together, and he just sacrificed a lot for me and put his life on hold,”
— Jesse Love, NASCAR driver
These sacrifices ranged from logistical efforts like traveling to tracks across California, Idaho, and Oklahoma, to bigger personal commitments—setting aside Duke’s own professional pursuits. Duke’s actions weren’t about simply relishing his son’s success; it was about instilling lifelong values, a drive to push through adversity, and a determination that nothing comes easily in life.
Life Lessons on and off the Track
Jesse recalled how, in moments when their racing team had the upper hand, his father would make conditions harder intentionally. The reason was to encourage growth through challenge:
“If I knew we were going to a weekend and we, like, had an advantage on the field,”
— Jesse Love, NASCAR driver
“I would 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, NASCAR driver
This deliberate approach to fostering resilience instead of comfort paid off in Phoenix’s closing laps. There, Jesse faced relentless challengers and held on to win, calling upon the toughness and adaptability instilled in him throughout his upbringing. Jesse’s tears during the RISING broadcast spoke to the magnitude of his father’s sacrifices and their bond.
A Father’s Dream Realized
After the checkered flag, Duke Love summarized a lifetime of dedication and what the victory meant to him and other committed racing fathers:
“To say that today is like a dream come true just doesn’t get the point across. All the racing dads out there, they get it, right? You’re putting these kids today in cars at 5 years old… and that’s a decade plus of blood, sweat, and tears. … Those last 20 laps were the culmination of 15 years behind the wheel,”
— Jesshill ‘Duke’ Love, Father
His reflections highlighted the generational investment and the countless sacrifices behind racing’s glamorous moments. These weren’t just fleeting achievements but the ends of a journey stretching over years, built on shared experience and mutual drive.
From Humble Beginnings to Racing Prominence
Jesse’s rise, from his earliest days in the sport to becoming the youngest ARCA West champion at age 15 in 2020, was fueled by the dedication of his family. Duke’s willingness to sideline his professional career ensured Jesse had every opportunity to nurture his racing abilities. The scene at Phoenix was made even richer by this context, with every lap representing a step taken together across years of determination and teamwork.
This pattern of shaping strong character is not unique in racing, but the Love story stands out due to its emotional intensity and depth. For Jesse, the Phoenix trophy marked not only his individual accomplishment but also the fulfillment of his father’s lifelong pursuit and investment.
Navigating Fierce Rivalries and Personal Growth
The 2025 season also featured a compelling personal rivalry between Jesse Love and his close friend Connor Zilisch. Their competition stretched throughout the year, with Zilisch often coming out on top in regular-season battles. However, when it mattered most at Phoenix, Jesse rallied to claim the championship, showcasing both his skill and mental strength.
Reflecting on his approach and motivation, Jesse revealed in a conversation with Eric Estepp:
“For me, this year it was trying to beat somebody. And 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 motivation’s necessarily going to be yet. I know that deep down my biggest motivation is that I want to make my dad proud, and I want to represent God well… I just want to be better than I was yesterday,”
— Jesse Love, NASCAR driver
Jesse’s mindset was molded by his father’s guidance to seek improvement regardless of external validation or rivalry. His calm determination and evolving perspective became the core of his identity as a competitor, following the family ethos that effort and purpose mean more than championships alone.
Defining Moments with Close Competitors
Jesse’s battles with Zilisch produced dramatic races, none more so than at Pocono. Even in defeat, he expressed the intensity and respect between them:
“That’s the most focused I’ve ever been inside a race car. I did not want Connor to beat me because I’ll have to hear about it for a long time. Hats off to him. He ran a good race… But that bums me out, I’m not going to lie,”
— Jesse Love, NASCAR driver
This candid admission underscores how rivalries can sharpen an athlete’s resolve, motivating them to achieve even greater heights. With Zilisch moving up to the Cup Series with Trackhouse, Jesse anticipates that future motivation will come from within—rooted in his desire to honor his family and his faith. Now, with a national title secured, Jesse focuses on the responsibility that comes with success and the ongoing challenge of defending his championship.
What Lies Ahead for Jesse Love
The support of his family, especially Duke, provides Jesse with a foundation he can rely on as new rivalries and seasons unfold. The 2026 season promises fresh challenges and new faces gunning for the top spot in the Xfinity Series. Yet, the values and lessons passed down from father to son continue to be Jesse’s guiding force.
Beyond the victories and titles, Jesse’s story with his father has become emblematic for countless racing families who invest everything for a chance at glory, echoing the struggles and dreams of racing dads and kids from grassroots tracks to professional circuits. The Jesse Love championship victory shines as an enduring story of how perseverance, sacrifice, and deep familial bonds can culminate in historic achievement, setting the stage for even greater moments in the future.
"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
