DAYTONA BEACH, FL — February 14, 2026 – Defending NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Champion Jesse Love returned to competition in strong form Saturday, opening his 2026 title defense with a ninth-place finish in the season-opening United Rentals 300 at Daytona International Speedway.

Piloting the No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing, Love navigated the high-speed draft of the 2.5-mile superspeedway and delivered a steady, disciplined performance in the 120-lap event.

The Daytona opener marked Love’s return to the cockpit after a demanding offseason that included multiple sponsor activations and promotional appearances — highlighted by a national Super Bowl campaign appearance for primary partner Samsara. With the spotlight of a championship season behind him and major brand commitments fulfilled, Love was eager to get back to what earned him the title in the first place: racing.

“It was a busy offseason, but that comes with being the defending champion,” Love said. “Getting back behind the wheel at Daytona is what it’s all about. We had a fast car, stayed in the draft, and came home with a solid top ten. That’s a strong way to start a championship defense.”

Austin Hill ultimately captured the victory after leading 78 laps, but Love’s consistent performance reinforced why he carries the No. 1 target on his back this season. The defending champion stayed inside the lead pack, avoided late-race chaos, and secured valuable early points as the title battle begins anew.

As the 2026 season unfolds, Love enters it not just as a contender — but as the benchmark. Every race now carries the weight of defending the crown, and Daytona was the first step in proving the No. 2 team is ready for the challenge.