Jesse Love is one of the top prospects in NASCAR today, and he’s impressed in his first season in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. However, his team, Richard Childress Racing, is crowded, and his path to the Cup Series is far from a clear one. What is Jesse Love’s path to Cup?
It’s very rare for drivers to jump up to the Cup Series after only a single season in the lower series. Looking at current drivers who began their first full-time season this decade, all except one had at least two seasons in the lower series.
| Full-Time Xfinity Seasons | Full-Time Truck Seasons | Total Full-Time Lower Series Seasons | |
| Tyler Reddick | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| John Hunter Nemechek | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Christopher Bell | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Ty Gibbs | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Chase Briscoe | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Austin Cindric | 4 | 1 | 5 |
| Todd Gilliland | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Harrison Burton | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Noah Gragson | 4 | 2 | 6 |
| Carson Hocevar | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Zane Smith | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Josh Berry | 2 | 0 | 2 |
Ty Gibbs is The only driver to compete in less than two full-time seasons before moving up to the Cup Series. He came up in 2023, when Kyle Busch, somewhat unexpectedly, left Joe Gibbs Racing. It’s unclear whether or not the original plan was to move Gibbs up to the Cup Series so soon.
It’s not uncommon for drivers to wait 2, 3, or even 4 or more seasons before moving up to the Cup Series. Tyler Reddick even had to wait an extra year after winning a Championship in the Xfinity Series in 2018.
There’s no need for Richard Childress Racing to rush Love to Cup. He’s still 19-years-old, and he has plenty of time to develop. This could allow other things at RCR to take shape.
Kyle Busch and Austin Dillon are both racing full-time in the Cup Series for RCR. Austin Dillon told Bob Pockrass back in 2022 that his current contract is through 2025. Kyle Busch’s contract is a bit more unclear, but RCR announced earlier this year that Rebel Bourbon is committed to sponsor Kyle Busch through 2025. It’s safe to say both drivers are signed through 2025, and Dillon, given he is Childress’ grandson, might be here even longer.
RCR also fields a third car from time to time. Could they be in the charter market to field a third full-time team once again? Maybe in the future, but, probably not this year.
At the earliest, Love probably won’t end up in the Cup Series with RCR until 2026, unless another opportunity comes along his way. We saw Zane Smith go from Front Row Motorsports to Trackhouse/Spire last offseason for a Cup opportunity, so, it’s not unprecedented.
RCR also has another Cup Series prospect to consider, Austin Hill. The team even fielded a third car for Hill in the Cup Series twice this season. Who gets priority if a ride opens up?
Hill is an RCR stalwart who is in his 3rd full-time Xfinity Series season with the team, but, he’s 30 years old. Love is younger, but, he’s less experienced with a smaller sample size.
Love has a lot of hurdles to jump to make it to the Cup Series. However, it’s probably not an issue RCR has to deal with this year.
Lionel Racing finally confirmed the first wave of 2026 NASCAR Authentics 1:64 scale diecast for Monday morning, with the line of retail-exclusive diecast featuring a new look for the new year.
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Chase Pistone, a former competitor on the short track racing circuit in addition to NASCAR’s National Series, has passed away. Pistone, now a successful Legends Car owner, was 42.
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Three races in, the 2026 season is finally starting to show its hand. COTA shifted narratives, exposed weaknesses, and raised new questions about contenders, pretenders, and everything in between.
From substitute drivers being forced into action to points gaps growing faster than expected, COTA delivered more than just a road course chess match. There were momentum swings, reputation hits, and at least one young driver stacking up enemies before stacking up results.
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