MARTINSVILLE, VA. (March 29, 2026) — Jesse Love, the defending NASCAR Xfinity Series champion, delivered another strong performance in Saturday’s O’Reilly Auto Parts 250 at Martinsville Speedway, but late-race contact erased what was shaping up to be a top-5 finish.

Behind the wheel of the No. 2 Richard Childress Racing Whelen Engineering Chevrolet, Love qualified 8th and established himself as a contender early on the tight half-mile oval. He finished Stage 1 in 9th and remained inside the top 10 for much of the race, showcasing speed and consistency.

As the race progressed, Love continued to manage traffic and track position, finishing Stage 2 in 15th while staying within reach of the leaders on a track where passing is at a premium.

A pivotal moment came on Lap 234 when Lee Pulliam missed a shift on a restart from the front row, triggering a chain-reaction crash that collected 19 cars and brought out a red flag due to debris across the frontstretch. Love avoided the incident and remained in contention as the race entered its final laps.

With just three laps remaining and battling for sixth position, Love’s race took a turn following aggressive contact from Rajah Caruth. Caruth made contact with the No. 2 Chevrolet entering Turns 1 and 2, forcing Love up the track and costing both drivers valuable track position.

The following lap, contact continued in Turns 3 and 4 as Caruth drove into Love’s rear bumper, again pushing both cars up the track. The loss of momentum opened the door for trailing traffic, and entering Turn 1, Brent Crews made contact with Caruth, sending the No. 88 Chevrolet spinning into the outside wall.

The sequence dropped Love out of the top 10, ultimately resulting in a 12th-place finish, while Caruth was relegated to 25th.

Following the race, Love exited his car and immediately sought out Caruth in the garage area to discuss the incident.

“Martinsville is a fight all day long,” said Love. “We had a really strong Whelen Engineering Chevrolet and were in position for a top-5 finish. It’s frustrating to lose it that way, but I’m proud of the effort from this team. We’ll move forward.”

Despite the result, Love remains second in the NASCAR Xfinity Series championship standings, continuing to build on a strong and consistent start to the 2026 season.

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Up Next

The NASCAR Xfinity Series heads to Rockingham Speedway for next Saturday’s North Carolina Education Lottery 250 presented by Black’s Tire (2:30 p.m. ET, The CW, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

About Rockingham Speedway

Known as “The Rock,” Rockingham Speedway is one of NASCAR’s most historic and demanding tracks. Its abrasive surface and long green-flag runs place a premium on tire management, discipline, and racecraft.

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About Whelen Engineering

Whelen Engineering Company is a global leader in emergency warning and lighting technology. Headquartered in Chester, Connecticut, Whelen is recognized for innovation, durability, and its commitment to supporting first responders. Through motorsports, Whelen showcases its performance-driven technology on a national stage.

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About Jesse Love

Jesse Love is the defending NASCAR Xfinity Series Champion, competing full-time with Richard Childress Racing. Known for his consistency, discipline, and race-winning ability, Love continues to establish himself as one of the sport’s top young contenders.

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