Jesse Love Xfinity Championship Racing has looked anything but traditional since his NASCAR Xfinity Series win at Phoenix Raceway in November. Instead of settling into a winter break, Love has kept busy, dodging cold weather and the standard down time usually expected after capturing a title.
While many drivers would take a step back, Love found himself experiencing less than three weeks of chilly temperatures in North Carolina, a fact that highlights his unique off-season. His schedule included a quick pivot to Australia, where he raced a Super2 car in support of the Repco Supercars Championship event in Adelaide, followed by a stint at the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals in Tulsa, and some short family vacation time near the equator.
Embracing the Moment Amid a Fast-Paced Schedule
Celebrations for the championship lasted longer than usual, partly because Love and his young team, led by energetic crew chief Danny Stockman, remained in Arizona after the decisive race for some well-earned festivities. The opportunity to stay put helped keep the victory fresh in mind. However, with travel and more racing commitments filling his calendar, Love admitted barely finding time to reflect on his achievements.
“I’ve only experienced like 15 days of cold weather in North Carolina the past couple of months,”
Jesse Love shared at the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals. Love also remarked,
“We went to Australia and now the Chili Bowl and some family vacation. Pretty busy.”
Looking back on the time right after Phoenix, he also said,
“It was neat to stay in Arizona after the season, and not to have to travel, and keep the celebration going while we were still in the moment. But since we left, I just haven’t had time to reflect much at all because I have been so busy.”
Setting Sights on Road Course Growth and New Challenges
After a season of triumph, Love knows that expectations are high. He is aware of additional pressure but says his determination and approach remain unchanged. Among his goals for 2024, road course racing stands out, with competitors like Connor Zilisch and Shane van Gisbergen as clear benchmarks for improvement.
“I still think Connor (Zilisch) and Shane (Van Gisbergen) are going to be running in our road course races and that’s the measuring stick,”
Love stated. He continued,
“It’s good to have them to see how far I’ve come.”
The Super2 experience in Australia was particularly meaningful, allowing Love to compete in cars with a strong motorsport heritage.
“I enjoyed it from the history factor,”
he said, reflecting on driving vehicles similar to those piloted by Shane van Gisbergen.
“I don’t get wrapped up in stuff like that a lot but I did think some about how these are the cars Shane drove that made him so good. I think I learned several techniques that weekend. It was challenging but I think it’s made me a better road racer for the Xfinity season.”
A Return to the Chili Bowl with New Partnerships
Before the new Xfinity season launches, Love made his return to the high-energy Chili Bowl after a year away, this time driving for Blake Harris, crew chief for Hendrick Motorsports‘ No. 48 car. The opportunity arose thanks to a recommendation from Alex Bowman, as both drivers participate in the Josh Wise Hendrick fitness program. Harris’s family history in dirt racing, combined with parts built at Hendrick Motorsports, crafted a promising package for Love’s Chili Bowl return.
Although he had only raced in the Tulsa building once in the past three years, Love found his rhythm quickly during the initial practice sessions.
“I was caught off guard at first but I didn’t expect to be this comfortable this quickly, and I don’t know if it’s their set-up or what, but I am really comfortable inside the car,”
he described, showing confidence in his team’s setup. He also noted,
“We just need to keep up with the racetrack however that evolves.”
Targeting Success in the Feature Event
Love made a strategic choice to switch his qualifying day from Wednesday to Friday, aiming for the smoothest road into Saturday’s main event.
“So if Friday goes well, I don’t see why we can’t have a good run on Saturday and be in the show,”
Love emphasized, revealing a grounded outlook shaped by both ambition and realistic expectations. He shared,
“It could happen and that’s the goal but it just comes down to if we execute and get a good draw, all the small things that need to go right here.”
Looking Ahead After a Nonstop Off-Season
Maneuvering through relentless racing and celebration, Jesse Love has emerged from an unconventional winter with renewed focus and motivation. As he prepares for the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and chases more improvement as a road racer, his experiences in Australia, Tulsa, and beyond point to a driver energized by momentum rather than worn down by pressure.
With the ongoing support of his crew, connections with top names like Alex Bowman and Shane van Gisbergen, and a commitment to learning at every turn, Love’s drive to defend and expand on his Xfinity championship credentials is unmistakable. His avoidance of the off-season may end up being his secret weapon as the new season unfolds.
