The defending NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series champion, Jesse Love, had a frustrating ending to the Phoenix race. Later, during a post-race interview with CW Sports, Love expressed his frustration with the stage three move, which changed the race result for him.
Love had a strong qualifying session for the GOVX 200 held on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at the one-mile asphalt track. He secured a front-row start alongside pole-sitter Taylor Gray. Love began the race from P2 with a best lap time of 27.55 seconds and a top speed of 130.69 mph. Later, the RCR driver maintained his spot in stage one and ended as the runner-up.
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Following that, Jesse Love took the lead in the next stage and won stage two. He carried the lead in the final stage and led 114 laps. However, with 11 laps to go, JR Motorsports driver Justin Allgaier made a strong pass in the outside lane and took the lead. As a result, the 2024 Xfinity Series champion took home his first win of the 2026 season.
Speaking on that, Jesse Love expressed his frustration and told the media:
“Um, I don’t know. I think the only real misstep we really had was just tightening up there at the beginning of stage three, and it kind of put us behind. And I don’t know what his entire line was like. But yeah, just frustrated.”
“Yeah, if I show up to run second and just collect points, but obviously that’s not why I’m here. And yeah, just beyond frustrated with myself, and Yeah, I don’t know what to say. I’ve upset myself,” he added.
Jesse Love wrapped the 200-mile race as the runner-up, 0.449 seconds behind Justin Allgaier. After the Phoenix race, Love now ranks second in the drivers’ standings with three top-five finishes and one top-ten finish in four starts this season.
“I just feel so clean. So relieved”: When Jesse Love shared his candid take about his first-ever Xfinity Series title
Richard Childress Racing driver Jesse Love won his first-ever Xfinity Series championship title in his second full-time season with the team. Later, the Phoenix race, the 2025 champion, shared his candid emotions on his latest achievement.
The #2 Chevy driver had a great start to the 2025 season with the Daytona International Speedway victory. The Daytona win secured his spot in the playoffs. Following that, he was a regular face in the top ten finishers throughout the season.
Additionally, Jesse Love was the sole driver competing against JR Motorsports drivers in the Championship 4 race. Later, he outperformed the JRM drivers and secured the title. Speaking about that, Love told the media:
“I just feel so clean. So relieved. It’s been a tough year for me, and people like my dad and my whole team to work as hard on my own dream as I have… it just doesn’t feel real.”
Jesse Love recorded two victories, nine top-five finishes, and 22 top-ten finishes in 33 starts in the 2025 season. In addition to the O’Reilly Series, Love also made a Cup Series start with RCR at Circuit of the Americas and secured a P27 finish.
Edited by Karan Yadav
