NEWTON, Iowa (August 8, 2026) — A promising afternoon at Iowa Speedway turned into a test of perseverance for defending NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Champion Jesse Love and the No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet team after an early transmission issue took them out of contention in Saturday’s Hy-Vee Perks 250.

Love entered the weekend with plenty of reason for optimism. Returning to a track where he finished runner-up one year ago, the Richard Childress Racing driver immediately showed speed, putting the No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet at the top of the charts during practice.

After qualifying, Love started the 250-lap event from the 11th position and settled into the field during the opening stage. Just 35 laps into the race, however, the No. 2 Chevrolet suddenly slowed as Love reported trouble with the transmission.

Love brought the car to pit road before eventually taking it to the garage, where the Richard Childress Racing crew went to work making extensive repairs. Rather than calling it a day, the team replaced the transmission and prepared the Whelen Chevrolet to return to competition.

After spending more than 30 minutes in the garage, Love climbed back behind the wheel and returned to the track nearly 60 laps behind the leaders.

With any chance at the finish the team had hoped for gone, the remainder of the afternoon became about completing as many laps as possible and salvaging what they could from a difficult day. Love continued to log laps through the remainder of the race as the No. 2 team refused to give up.

The result was especially disappointing considering the speed Love showed before the mechanical failure. After posting the fastest lap in practice and running just outside the top 10 when the problem developed, the No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet appeared poised to contend near the front before circumstances took the team out of the battle.

Carson Kvapil ultimately won the Hy-Vee Perks 250 following a chaotic finish that required two overtime attempts.

Despite the difficult afternoon, Love remains firmly in the championship picture. The defending series champion leaves Iowa fourth in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series standings with 749 points as the regular season winds toward its conclusion.

Love and the No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet team will now turn their attention to Daytona on August 28th, looking to put the frustration of Iowa behind them and return to the form that has kept them among the championship contenders throughout the 2026 season.

About Jesse Love

Jesse Love is the defending NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series Champion and one of NASCAR's brightest young stars. After building an impressive résumé that includes championships and victories across multiple forms of motorsports, Love continues to establish himself as one of the sport's premier talents. Driving the No. 2 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing, he remains a consistent race winner and championship contender while also competing in select NASCAR Cup Series events.

About Whelen Engineering

Whelen Engineering is a leading manufacturer of emergency warning equipment, lighting systems, sirens, and safety solutions serving first responders, public safety agencies, and commercial markets around the world. Family-owned and American-made, Whelen has built a reputation for innovation, reliability, and supporting motorsports through long-standing partnerships.

About Richard Childress Racing

Richard Childress Racing (RCR) is one of NASCAR's most successful organizations, earning numerous championships and hundreds of victories across NASCAR's national touring series. Founded by NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Childress, RCR has built a legacy of excellence through innovation, championship-caliber competition, and the development of some of the sport's biggest stars.

Media Contact
Rod Wortham
Race Face Brand Development
rod@racefacebd.com