Jesse Love has called for a shift in NASCAR mentality as he prepares for the 2026 season, arguing that widespread criticism is the sport’s most significant challenge and comparing it unfavorably to Formula 1 racing. Speaking on the Door Bumper Clear podcast, Love discussed what he sees as key issues for NASCAR and expressed the desire for more supporters to share his positive outlook on the sport.
Jesse Love Sees Fan Negativity as NASCAR’s Biggest Hurdle
Love, at just 20 years old and coming off his Xfinity Series championship, openly addressed his frustration toward what he described as a trend among fans and commentators to criticize NASCAR. He acknowledged that all sports attract some negativity, but argued that the current environment has made embracing the sport itself seem unpopular, even when he believes NASCAR is delivering strong competition and excitement.
“I think that every sport has people with their gripes,”
Jesse Love said.
“Right now, I hate to see the state that it’s in because it seems like everybody’s wanting to be against it. I’ll probably get flak for saying it, but I do think that’s our biggest problem is that it’s become so not trendy, but popular to be against, A) NASCAR and be against everything that has to do with it. I think that’s the biggest problem. I think what we have right now is actually really great.”
— Jesse Love, NASCAR Driver
Contrasting NASCAR with Formula 1 and International Impressions
Love recently traveled to Australia and reflected on the enthusiasm of local racing fans and his experience viewing a Formula 1 event. Despite his disappointment in the quality of that particular F1 race, he observed that fans there still showed strong support for their sport. Love used this comparison to advocate for American racing fans to increase their support for NASCAR and take pride in its unique strengths.
“I just got back from Australia, where all the people really enjoyed what they were doing where they were at. I watched the F1 race, which was probably the worst racing I watched all year as far as a product goes, and people seemed to love that. I’m team pro sport, right? I want the sport to be in a really good place.”
— Jesse Love, NASCAR Driver
Debate Over Playoff Format and Future Revisions
One major source of discontent among some fans centers around the NASCAR playoff system. The controversy was amplified after Kyle Larson secured the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Championship without winning any of the ten playoff races that season. These concerns have led NASCAR leadership to consider possible changes to the playoff format for 2026. John Probst, executive vice president and chief racing development officer, emphasized that the organization is resisting the urge to make minor changes every season, instead opting for a thorough review that includes input from drivers, teams, media, and sponsors.
“I don’t think we want to get in the habit of making small little tweaks every season to the playoffs,”
Probst said, per ESPN.
“Where we landed was for 2025, not making any changes to the playoffs. Throughout the course of this year, we will get a working group together with some media folks, OEMs, Goodyear, drivers. … We probably talked to most of the folks one-on-one about, ‘where are we at? What are we thinking?’”
— John Probst, Chief Racing Development Officer
Love’s Championship Season Reflects His NASCAR Mentality
Despite the debates, Jesse Love’s rise to prominence and recent championship has cemented his reputation and shaped his perspective on the state of the sport. Love captured the 2025 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series title, beginning his season with a win at Daytona and sealing the championship at Phoenix. Unlike some critics, Love remains firm in his belief that NASCAR offers compelling competition and hopes that more fans will adopt his positive approach in embracing the sport’s future.
As the 2026 season approaches and NASCAR continues discussions about its playoff format and broader direction, the league’s leaders and top drivers like Jesse Love will play a key role in guiding its evolution and shaping perceptions among both current and future fans. The ongoing debate over the sport’s identity and competitive structure will likely influence NASCAR’s trajectory for years to come.
