What’s Happening?

Jesse Love is off to a solid start to his sophomore season in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Love, at just 20 years old, has a bright future in NASCAR, but what does the long-term hold for the reigning Xfinity Series Rookie of the Year?

Love Two Seasons in at RCR

In 2024, Jesse Love debuted in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with Richard Childress Racing. The driver would take over the team’s No. 2 entry, which had not been to victory lane since 2021.

Love, coming off a ten-win championship season in the ARCA Menards Series with Venturini Motorsports, was a bit of a wildcard in a rather tame NASCAR Xfinity Series Rookie of the Year battle. His competition, for the most part, was Kaulig Racing’s Shane van Gisbergen, who, though destined to win at least one race last season, was equally a wildcard due to his inexperience on ovals.

Love would only win one race in 2024 compared to SVG’s three; however, the 19-year-old scored rookie of the year honors, five poles, 18 top-tens, an average finish of 12.0 (sixth best of full-time drivers), and an eighth-place finish in points.

This momentum has transitioned into this weekend, in which the driver sits atop the Xfinity Series standings with four top-fives and a win through five races. While his stats are top-notch, RCR could keep Love in Xfinity for one or two more seasons, not wanting to rush him into the next level unprepared.

But one thing seems clear about Love: Like so many RCR prospects before him, he looks like the real deal. So, what will it take for Love to break into the next level?

What’s in the Way at RCR?

Though reinvigorated by the signing of Kyle Busch in 2023, RCR has not had the best run as of late; drama, both on and off track, alongside a career-long losing streak for Busch, has highlighted a performance drought for the team.

RCR, currently a two-car team, will have to face changes at some point in the near future. While Austin Dillon, grandson of team owner Richard Childress, continues to disappoint statistically, Kyle Busch is the suspect of a flurry of rumors that he could move on at year’s end.

Regardless, most fans of either RCR or Busch feel that the team is at a standstill, as almost any other driver with the stats of Dillon would surely be on their way out for Love.

If RCR were to call up Love, they would be forced to either move on from a hall-of-fame driver or family member or buy a third NASCAR Cup Series Charter. However, team size or contracts aren’t the only thing in the way of Love.  

While Love had an impressive start to his Xfinity Series career, he’s not the only winner for RCR at that level. Currently, 31-year-old Austin Hill continues to lead the way at the Xfinity level for RCR. He had a career season for the team in 2024 and is already a winner in 2025.

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Does His Future Lie Outside RCR and Chevrolet?

While calling up Love to the top level should be a no-brainer for RCR, as he is the only driver in their camp under the age of 30. Though some may wonder if the traffic jam at RCR persists, will Love move onto greener pastures?

It would not be out of Character for RCR to lose out on top talent. Of course, they were the center of attention at the tail end of the 2022 season as Tyler Reddick, then a promising Cup Series talent for the team, walked away for 23XI Racing.

However, if Love were to look elsewhere, for example, let’s say, a return to Toyota, there would be an equally packed house of young talent such as Corey Heim and Brent Crews, who would perhaps usurp the driver.

While Ford doesn’t have a Chevrolet or Toyota-sized developmental system, one in which a driver like Love would flourish, they have a lack of open, or opening seats, in the NASCAR Cup Series.

It likely takes a dramatic turn of events for Love to jump ship; while there is a log jam at the top of RCR, it will likely clear up soon and more than likely benefit Love.

The road to the Cup Series for the 20-year-old is clear. However, the length of that route is unknown; this storyline could unfold this year or far down the line.

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