DOVER, DEL. (May 17, 2026) — Jesse Love and the No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet team showed race-winning speed Saturday at Dover Motor Speedway before a late-race incident while battling for the lead resulted in a 23rd-place finish in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series event at the Monster Mile.

Driving for Richard Childress Racing, Love qualified 10th and steadily worked his way toward the front throughout the afternoon. The defending NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Champion finished Stage 1 in ninth before surging to fourth in Stage 2, showcasing the long-run speed the No. 2 team had built into the Whelen Chevrolet.

As the laps wound down, Love positioned himself as one of the drivers to beat and eventually found himself leading the race before contact involving the No. 88 car altered what appeared to be a potential winning effort. Despite the disappointing result, the performance once again reinforced the speed and consistency that has kept the Richard Childress Racing driver firmly in championship contention throughout the 2026 season.

The Dover performance continues a strong stretch for Love, who entered the weekend carrying momentum after a heartbreaking near-win at Watkins Glen one week ago. The 21-year-old continues to establish himself as one of the top weekly contenders in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series garage.

Even with the late-race setback, Love remains third in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series championship standings heading into next weekend’s event at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Known as one of NASCAR’s most physically demanding tracks, Dover Motor Speedway’s high banks and concrete surface create a unique challenge for drivers and teams. Nicknamed “The Monster Mile,” the one-mile oval is notorious for testing both patience and equipment over the course of a long green-flag run.

Up next for Love and the No. 2 Richard Childress Racing team is the Charbroil 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 23rd.

About Jesse Love

Jesse Love is the reigning NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Champion and one of the brightest young stars in American motorsports. A native of Menlo Park, California, Love has compiled victories and championships across multiple racing disciplines throughout his career, including championships in the ARCA Menards Series and NASCAR’s top developmental divisions. Love competes full-time for Richard Childress Racing in the No. 2 Chevrolet.

About Richard Childress Racing

Richard Childress Racing is one of NASCAR’s most iconic organizations, founded by NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Childress. Based in Welcome, North Carolina, RCR has earned championships and victories across NASCAR’s top national touring series while developing some of the sport’s biggest stars.

About Whelen Engineering

Whelen Engineering is a global leader in emergency warning equipment, lighting, and siren technology. The company has been deeply involved in NASCAR for decades and serves as one of the sport’s most recognizable and respected partners.

Media Contact:
Race Face Brand Development
rod@racefacebd.com