HAMPTON, Ga. (July 12, 2026) – Jesse Love and the No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet team continued their championship-caliber season Saturday night at EchoPark Speedway, displaying race-winning speed before a late-race accident resulted in a 26th-place finish in the Focused Health 250.

Love qualified third and quickly established himself as one of the race's top contenders, collecting valuable stage points with a third-place finish in Stage 1 and a seventh-place finish in Stage 2. Running among the leaders throughout the 172-lap event, the Richard Childress Racing driver remained in contention until he was caught in a multicar accident during the closing laps.

Although the finishing position did not reflect the speed of the No. 2 team, Love added 23 championship points and maintained second place in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series standings following Race 21 of 33. More importantly, the performance officially clinched Love a spot in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series Chase, giving the defending series champion the opportunity to compete for back-to-back championships over the final seven races of the season.

The Atlanta outing further demonstrated the consistency and speed that have defined Love's sophomore campaign. With another strong points day and a postseason berth now secured, the Whelen-backed Chevrolet team heads into the final stretch of the regular season with momentum and its sights firmly set on another championship run.

The NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series now takes an off weekend before returning to action on Saturday, July 25, at the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Following Indianapolis, the series will make stops at Iowa Speedway and Daytona International Speedway before the Chase begins.

About Jesse Love

Jesse Love is the defending NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series champion and competes full-time for Richard Childress Racing in the No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet. Widely regarded as one of NASCAR's brightest young stars, Love has built an impressive resume that includes championships and victories across multiple racing disciplines while establishing himself as one of the sport's premier rising talents. For more information, visit www.JesseLoveRacing.com or follow Jesse on social media.

About Richard Childress Racing

Richard Childress Racing (RCR) is one of NASCAR's most successful and respected organizations, earning multiple championships and more than 200 victories across NASCAR's national touring series. Founded by NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Childress, the Welcome, North Carolina-based organization continues to develop championship-caliber drivers while competing at the highest level of stock car racing. Learn more at www.RCRracing.com.

About Whelen Engineering

For more than 70 years, Whelen Engineering has been a global leader in the design and manufacture of emergency warning equipment, lighting systems, sirens, and communication products. Proudly made in America, Whelen serves first responders, law enforcement, fire, EMS, aviation, and motorsports with innovative technology built on a commitment to quality, reliability, and performance. Through its long-standing partnership with NASCAR and support of rising stars like Jesse Love, Whelen continues to demonstrate its dedication to excellence both on and off the track. To learn more, visit www.Whelen.com.

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