Defending NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series champion Jesse Love showcased his versatility and endurance this weekend at Circuit of The Americas (COTA), competing in both the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and the NASCAR Cup Series for Richard Childress Racing.

Love’s weekend began in impressive fashion on Saturday in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, where he drove the No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet from 11th on the grid to a strong 4th-place finish. The performance added another Top-Five to his 2026 campaign and further solidified his place near the top of the championship standings.

On Sunday, Love returned to the track for NASCAR’s premier division, piloting the No. 33 C4 Chevrolet in the DuraMAX Texas Grand Prix. Taking on the added challenge of double duty at one of the sport’s most technical road courses, Love battled throughout the event and brought home a 27th-place finish in a competitive field filled with veteran Cup Series talent.

Competing in both races at COTA required focus, preparation, and stamina — and Love delivered across the board. Pulling double duty at the national level continues to accelerate his development while reinforcing his ability to adapt to different cars, race strategies, and competition levels within the same weekend.

Limited NASCAR Cup Series Schedule

Love is running a limited NASCAR Cup Series schedule in 2026, with one additional start currently planned at Talladega Superspeedway later this season. His primary focus remains a championship run in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, where he currently sits second in the standings through the opening stretch of the year.

Balancing select Cup opportunities while maintaining a title push underscores both Love’s growing reputation within the sport and the confidence Richard Childress Racing has in his long-term potential.

About Jesse Love

Jesse Love is a professional stock car driver from Menlo Park, California. The defending NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Champion, Love competes full-time in the No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing. Known for his adaptability across short tracks, superspeedways, and road courses, Love is widely regarded as one of NASCAR’s rising stars. In 2026, he is also making select NASCAR Cup Series starts as part of his continued development at the sport’s highest level.

About Richard Childress Racing

Richard Childress Racing is one of NASCAR’s most storied organizations, competing across the sport’s national series with a tradition of championship performance and driver development. Headquartered in Welcome, North Carolina, RCR remains a cornerstone of competitive excellence in American motorsports.