CONCORD, N.C. — Jesse Love and the No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet team put together one of the strongest performances of the night Saturday at Charlotte Motor Speedway, charging from 17th to a second-place finish in the rain-shortened NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series event.

After qualifying was canceled due to weather, NASCAR set the starting lineup by the rulebook, forcing Love to roll off from the 17th position. The Richard Childress Racing driver wasted little time moving through the field, showcasing the speed that made him one of the favorites throughout the evening.

Love drove into the top-10 early and finished Stage One in sixth, earning valuable championship points while continuing his march toward the front. As the race progressed, the No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet became one of the fastest cars on track, with Love positioning himself as a legitimate contender for the victory before rain and fog ultimately forced NASCAR to call the event early.

The California native expressed frustration following the race over how the weather-shortened event unfolded, believing his team had a car capable of competing for the win.

“This Whelen Chevrolet was really fast tonight,” Love said in post-race interviews following the event. “I felt like we were in position there at the end. Proud of this whole Richard Childress Racing team for giving me a great race car.”

The emotional weekend carried additional weight for Richard Childress Racing following the passing of NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch earlier in the week, as the organization competed under difficult circumstances throughout the Charlotte weekend.

Despite the challenging conditions and shortened race distance, Love’s runner-up finish continues the momentum for the defending NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Champion as he leaves Charlotte second in the championship standings heading into Nashville Superspeedway next weekend.

About Jesse Love

At just 21 years old, Jesse Love has already established himself as one of NASCAR’s brightest young stars. The 2025 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Champion continues competing full-time for Richard Childress Racing in 2026, building on an impressive resume that includes victories and championships across multiple levels of motorsports. Known for his aggressive yet calculated driving style, Love continues to emerge as one of the premier young talents in NASCAR.

About Whelen Engineering

Whelen Engineering is a global leader in emergency warning technology, manufacturing innovative lighting, siren, and communication systems for first responders around the world. A longtime supporter of NASCAR and grassroots motorsports, Whelen uses racing as a platform to honor police, fire, EMS, and military personnel nationwide.

About Richard Childress Racing

Richard Childress Racing is one of the most successful organizations in NASCAR history. Founded by NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Childress, the team has earned championships and victories across NASCAR’s top divisions while helping develop some of the sport’s biggest stars. RCR continues to compete at the hig

hest level with a strong focus on performance, innovation, and driver development.

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