In a striking development in Richard Childress Racing news, Jesse Love, the reigning champion from Richard Childress Racing, is set to compete at the 2026 Chili Bowl Nationals in Tulsa, but not for his home team. Instead, Love has teamed up with Hendrick Motorsports crew chief Blake Harris, a surprise move heating up the rivalry between two of NASCAR’s biggest organizations.
This offseason shift has sparked intense debate and speculation within NASCAR circles, as Love’s decision to race for 2nd Opinion Auto Center Racing—owned by Harris, who leads Alex Bowman’s crew in the Cup Series—defies expectations and contractual traditions. The move comes after a season where Hendrick Motorsports claimed the Cup Series championship with Kyle Larson, while Richard Childress Racing saw their top driver, Kyle Busch, fail to make the Playoffs, further fueling tensions as both squads remain loyal to Chevrolet.
Unexpected Alliance: Love Races Under Blake Harris at Chili Bowl
Jesse Love’s upcoming Chili Bowl appearance is notable not just for his participation, but for his unexpected collaboration with Blake Harris. Harris, a prominent figure at Hendrick Motorsports, guides Alex Bowman in NASCAR’s top tier, making this alliance particularly eye-catching due to the longstanding rivalry with Richard Childress Racing. Love’s presence on Harris’s team underscores a rare blending of competitive lines, particularly given both teams’ partnerships with Chevrolet and their recent history of on-track contention.
The choice comes amidst a star-studded lineup at Tulsa, which sees both established Cup veterans and rising stars from the NASCAR world testing their talents on the dirt. The event, coveted by stock car racers and dubbed “Golden Digger,” draws drivers including defending Chili Bowl champion Kyle Larson, three-time winner Christopher Bell, J.J. Yeley, Sheldon Creed, Corey Day, and Josh Bilicki. Jesse Love, fresh from securing the Xfinity Series championship, stands out among the field, his inclusion for Harris’s squad all the more notable given cross-team politics.
Adding further intrigue, Love’s contract with Richard Childress Racing in the O’Reilly Series was believed to preclude him from suiting up for HMS-affiliated crews. However, Harris technically operates independently, raising questions about the limits—and possible loopholes—of Love’s obligations. The situation has stirred debate about how team allegiances are navigated in NASCAR’s increasingly interconnected landscape, especially as Love pursues the highly sought Chili Bowl title.
Love Seeks Redemption in 2026 After Past Chili Bowl Setbacks
This is not Jesse Love’s first attempt at the Chili Bowl Nationals. He has made four previous bids to reach the prestigious A-main finals, each ending in disappointment. The most painful moment came in 2024 when, after leading in a qualifier, he dramatically flipped and crashed out, dashing his hopes for a breakthrough. Love’s determination to erase that memory and prove himself on the dirt is sharpened by his extensive dirt track experience: he’s a former Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series winner and holds the USAC track record at Gas City I-69 Speedway.
Love’s reputation as one of the most adaptable drivers at Tulsa is only bolstered by his recent Xfinity Series victory. With the 2026 Chili Bowl attracting 385 participants, he will find himself not only battling against the familiar faces of NASCAR but also against a formidable field of dirt racing specialists. The event’s competitive depth, combined with the eyecatching context of his new team, amplifies the stakes for Love as he aims to break his streak of misfortune at this event.
Elite Field and Competitive Stakes at 2026 Chili Bowl
The 2026 Chili Bowl Nationals in Tulsa serves as a stage for some of racing’s most successful talents. Kyle Larson heads into the event as the defending champion and current NASCAR Cup Series titleholder, still celebrating his second championship with a parade in his hometown of Elk Grove. Christopher Bell, with three Chili Bowl victories from 2017 to 2019, returns as another favorite. The presence of drivers like J.J. Yeley, Sheldon Creed, Corey Day, and Josh Bilicki sets a daunting challenge for all hopefuls, including Love.
If Jesse Love can harness the momentum and confidence from his Xfinity Series championship run, he may have the best chance yet to finally reach the A-main finals. This possibility is heightened by the support and expertise of Blake Harris, whose Cup Series experience could provide Love with the competitive edge previously missing from his Chili Bowl campaigns.
Rivalry Intensifies and Implications for NASCAR’s Future
The alliance between a Richard Childress Racing star and a leading figure from Hendrick Motorsports has intensified the existing rivalry between the teams. Both operate within the Chevrolet family but contend fiercely for dominance in the NASCAR Cup Series. Hendrick Motorsports’ 2025 triumph with Kyle Larson further widened the competitive gap after Kyle Busch’s struggles to make the Playoffs for RCR, and now, Love’s cross-team appearance at the Chili Bowl adds another chapter to this ongoing saga.
This strategic twist highlights evolving contractual dynamics, potential for collaboration, and shifting allegiances within motorsports. As Jesse Love seeks both redemption at the Chili Bowl and clarity on inter-team boundaries, Richard Childress Racing news remains firmly in the motorsports spotlight. Fans and analysts will watch closely to see if this bold move yields personal triumph—or sets a precedent for further unexpected team alliances in NASCAR and beyond.
