Reigning NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series champion Jesse Love recently made headlines after signing with Wood Brothers Racing for the 2027 NASCAR Cup Series season.
While the future rookie is still basking in the excitement of his long-awaited Cup promotion, he has found himself back in the spotlight for a far more unusual reason, not because of a race-winning drive or a career-defining performance, but due to an unexpected Sir Isaac Newton lore.
Joining his friend and on-track rival, Connor Zilisch, on the popular Bussin’ With The Boys podcast, Love was in high spirits as the conversation drifted toward Newton and his famous laws of motion. That’s when the Richard Childress Racing driver dropped the revelation.
“I’m a relative of him, Isaac Newton… Swear to God. My family tree, that’s what my mom told me,” Love said.
While Zilisch appeared to be processing what he had just heard, one of the hosts quipped, “You sound like him,” sending the Trackhouse Racing phenom into laughter. Love, however, doubled down on his claim, once again insisting, “Swear to God.”
Before the discussion was entirely consumed by Love’s alleged family ties to one of history’s greatest scientific minds, Zilisch steered it in a different direction, revealing that his first-ever word as a child was “SpongeBob.”
Now, whether Love’s family tree truly branches back to Newton remains anyone’s guess. However, historians generally agree that the legendary physicist never married and had no known children, meaning there are no direct descendants to trace today.
That said, Newton’s extended family line did continue through relatives, so perhaps Love’s mother is onto something.
Until a proper genealogy test settles the debate, NASCAR fans may simply have to accept that the 21-year-old believes he inherited more than just a need for speed, maybe a little gravity, too.
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