Jesse Love
Love at New Smyrna Speedway in 2020
BornJesse Love Jr.
(2005-01-14) January 14, 2005
Menlo Park, California, U.S.
Achievements2023 ARCA Menards Series Champion
2020, 2021 ARCA Menards Series West Champion
2018 Bay Cities Racing Association Midgets Champion
2016, 2017 USAC Speed2 Western US Dirt Midget Series Champion
2017 USAC Speed2 Western US Asphalt Midget Series Champion
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series career
3 races run over 1 year
2023 position37th
Best finish37th (2023)
First race2023 Toyota 200 (Gateway)
Last race2023 Craftsman 150 (Phoenix)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 2 0
ARCA Menards Series career
48 races run over 4 years
Best finish1st (2023)
First race2020 General Tire 150 (Phoenix)
Last race2023 Shore Lunch 200 (Toledo)
First win2021 Sioux Chief PowerPex 200 (Salem)
Last win2023 Atlas 200 (Salem)
Wins Top tens Poles
12 41 9
ARCA Menards Series East career
10 races run over 3 years
Best finish9th (2022)
First race2020 Skip's Western Outfitters 175 (New Smyrna)
Last race2022 Bush's Beans 200 (Bristol)
Wins Top tens Poles
1 7 2
ARCA Menards Series West career
23 races run over 4 years
Best finish1st (2020, 2021)
First race2020 Star Nursery 150 (Las Vegas Bullring)
Last race2023 General Tire 150 (Phoenix)
First win2020 ENEOS/ Sunrise Ford Twin 30 Race #1 (Tooele)
Last win2021 NAPA Auto Parts 150 (Irwindale)
Wins Top tens Poles
5 17 4
Statistics current as of June 3, 2023.

Jesse Hammer Love Jr. (born January 14, 2005) is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 2 Chevrolet Camaro for Richard Childress Racing.

Love currently holds two records: He is the youngest winner ever in the ARCA Menards Series West, and the youngest winner ever in any NASCAR sanctioned event, both at 15 years, 5 months, and 13 days. He is also the youngest driver to win a NASCAR sanctioned championship; at age 15. He was also the ARCA Menards Series West champion for 2020 and 2021 and the ARCA Menards Series champion for 2023.

Racing career

Love competing at Sonoma Raceway in 2021

Early career

Love began racing at age five. Early in his career, he drove in the Quarter Midgets of America Series, where he won multiple races and championships before turning ten years old. He then went on to win championships in three different divisions of USAC in the same year, becoming the first driver to accomplish that. At age 13, Love, competing for Naake-Klauer Motorsports, was granted an age waiver to compete in the RPM Pro Late Model Series by Madera Speedway track promoter Kenny Shepherd due to his talent in the 51Fifty Energy Drink Jr. Late Model Series the prior year (in which he won another championship). In 2018, Love drove full-time in the INEX Legend Car Racing Series, winning five of the eight races on the schedule en route to that series' championship. The other series he raced in that year were the BCRA Midget Series and the Hunt Magneto Sprint Car Series, both of whom Love had to apply for an age exception to participate in.[1] Love drove for Keith Kunz Motorsports in the SRL Southwest Tour, a late model racing series, in 2019.[2]

ARCA

On January 14, 2020, it was announced that Love would run full-time and for rookie of the year in the ARCA Menards Series West in the No. 19 Toyota for Bill McAnally Racing.[3] He replaced Hailie Deegan in that car, who left the McAnally team and Toyota's driver development program to join Ford's driver development program, running full-time in the 20-race ARCA Menards Series for DGR-Crosley.[4]

After finishing second in the season-opener at Las Vegas Bullring, Love won his first West Series race in the first of the two races in the doubleheader at the Utah Motorsports Campus road course on June 27. It was just his second start in the series.[5]

In addition, Love and his BMR teammates would compete in the ten races of the 20-race ARCA Menards Series' Sioux Chief Showdown. He made his debut in the first Showdown race at Phoenix Raceway on March 6. A few weeks earlier, Love and his teammates also made their debut in the ARCA Menards Series East at New Smyrna; Love finished twelfth.

Love finished the 2020 ARCA West season with 3 wins and 9 top 5 finishes in 11 races en route to the championship, beating out season-long rival Blaine Perkins. He became the youngest West Series champion at just 15 years, 9 months, and 24 days old.[6][7]

In 2021, Love returned to BMR for his second season in the West Series, and moved from the No. 19 to the No. 16, replacing Gio Scelzi with the team condensing from four full-time cars to two and the No. 19 car being closed down. He also returned to Venturini Motorsports for a nine-race schedule in the main ARCA Menards Series (including all three combination races with the ARCA Menards Series East) as well as one non-combination race in the East Series (at Dover). In both series, he drove the No. 25.[8] He earned his first career win of the season at Salem Speedway, outdueling Ty Gibbs in a restart with 46 laps to go.[9]

On January 3, 2022, it was announced that Love would return to Venturini Motorsports for the majority of the 2022 season, running all of the races where he was eligible in.[10] During the season, he earned eight top fives twelve top tens. He would also earn his second career ARCA win at the Illinois State Fairgrounds Racetrack, leading every lap in a dominating fashion.[11]

Love driving the number 20 Yahoo car at Daytona in 2023

Love would be upgraded to a full-time schedule with Venturini Motorsports in the 2023 season.[12] That year, Love would have a breakout season, earning ten wins, eighteen top tens, and seventeen top fives. He would ultimately claim the 2023 ARCA Menards Series championship one race early at Salem, after simply taking the green flag.[13]

NASCAR Truck Series

On February 9, 2023, it was announced that Love would run three NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races for Tricon Garage, driving their No. 1 truck.[14] At Gateway, Love made his debut in the No. 11 truck due to the original driver, Corey Heim, having an illness. Toni Breidinger would drive the 1 truck for that race. Love would end up finishing in the top ten in 9th. He made his second start of the season at Kansas, finishing 13th.

NASCAR Xfinity Series

On October 25, 2023, it was revealed that Love would drive full-time for Richard Childress Racing in the No. 2 Chevrolet in 2024, replacing Sheldon Creed.[15][16]

Personal life

Jesse Love is the son of Elizabeth and Jesshill Love. Jesshill raced midget cars in his youth[17] and is a real estate investor and lawyer. Jesshill is the CEO of three real estate portfolios in California, former president of the Silicon Valley Chapter of the Entrepreneurs' Organization, and the CEO of HomeSmiles, a property maintenance company that supports Jesse's racing endeavors.[18][19][20]

Motorsports career results

NASCAR

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

Xfinity Series

NASCAR Xfinity Series results
Year Driver No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 NXSC Pts Ref
2024 Richard Childress Racing 2 Chevy DAY ATL LVS PHO COA RCH MAR TEX TAL DOV DAR CLT PIR SON IOW NHA NSH CSC POC IND MCH DAY DAR ATL GLN BRI KAN TAL ROV LVS HOM MAR PHO

Craftsman Truck Series

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 NCTC Pts Ref
2023 Tricon Garage 11 Toyota DAY LVS ATL COA TEX BRD MAR KAN DAR NWS CLT GTW
9		 NSH MOH POC RCH IRP MLW 37th 85 [21]
1 KAN
13		 BRI TAL HOM PHO
4

ARCA Menards Series

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

ARCA Menards Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 AMSC Pts Ref
2020 Bill McAnally Racing 19 Toyota DAY PHO
16		 TAL POC IRP KEN IOW
12		 KAN TOL TOL MCH DRC GTW
5		 L44 TOL BRI 26th 139 [22]
Venturini Motorsports 20 Toyota WIN
4		 MEM ISF KAN
2021 Bill McAnally Racing 16 Toyota DAY PHO
6		 TAL KAN 10th 386 [23]
Venturini Motorsports 15 Toyota TOL
4		 CLT MOH POC ELK
2		 BLN
5		 ISF
5		 MLW
7		 DSF
10		 SLM
1		 KAN
25 IOW
7		 WIN GLN MCH BRI
7
2022 20 DAY PHO
6		 TAL KAN CLT IOW
13		 BLN
3		 ELK
2		 MOH
5		 POC
13		 IRP
6		 MCH GLN
3		 ISF
1**		 MLW
7		 DSF
2		 KAN BRI
10		 SLM
2		 TOL
2*		 11th 603 [24]
2023 DAY
7		 PHO
27		 TAL
1*		 KAN
1*		 CLT
1*		 BLN
2*		 ELK
1*		 MOH
4		 IOW
3		 POC
1*		 MCH
1		 IRP
1*		 GLN
1		 ISF
3		 MLW
2		 DSF
1		 KAN
19		 BRI
2*		 SLM
1**		 TOL
2		 1st 1057 [25]

ARCA Menards Series East

ARCA Menards Series East results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 AMSEC Pts Ref
2020 Bill McAnally Racing 19 Toyota NSM
12		 TOL DOV TOL BRI 20th 70 [26]
Venturini Motorsports 15 Toyota FIF
6
2021 25 NSM FIF NSV DOV
18		 SNM IOW
7		 BRI
7		 11th 132 [27]
15 MLW
7
2022 20 NSM FIF DOV
2		 NSV IOW
13		 MLW
7		 BRI
10		 9th 142 [28]
2023 FIF DOV NSV FRS IOW
3		 IRP
1*		 MLW
2		 BRI
2*		 11th 177 [29]

ARCA Menards Series West

ARCA Menards Series West results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 AMSWC Pts Ref
2020 Bill McAnally Racing 19 Toyota LVS
2		 MMP
1*		 MMP
2		 IRW
1*		 EVG
4		 DCS
3		 CNS
1*		 LVS
3		 AAS
4		 KCR
8		 PHO
14		 1st 613 [30]
2021 16 PHO
6		 SON
19		 IRW
1		 CNS
2*		 IRW
1		 PIR
3		 LVS
13		 AAS
12		 PHO
14		 1st 438 [31]
2022 Venturini Motorsports 20 Toyota PHO
6		 IRW KCR PIR SON IRW EVG PIR AAS LVS PHO
2		 26th 130 [32]
2023 PHO
27		 IRW KCR PIR SON IRW SHA EVG AAS LVS MAD PHO 71st 18 [33]

References

  1. ↑ "13 Year Old Racing Phenom Jesse Love Earns Age Exemption for RPM Pro Late Model Series". Newswire (Press release). August 23, 2018. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
  2. ↑ Seelman, Jacob (January 14, 2020). "Four Rookies Chasing ARCA West Title With BMR". Speed Sport. Turn 3 Media, LLC. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
  3. ↑ Christley, Jason (January 29, 2020). "New Faces Readying For West Coast Title Run". ARCARacing.com. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
  4. ↑ Albert, Zack (December 17, 2019). "Hailie Deegan moves to Ford development program, sets 2020 plans". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
  5. ↑ Christley, Jason (June 27, 2020). "Utah Doubleheader Produces Pair of First-Time Winners". ARCARacing.com.
  6. ↑ "Jesse Love earns first ARCA Menards Series West Championship with Toyota". Speedway Digest. November 7, 2020. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
  7. ↑ "Love Is ARCA West Champion As Gilliland Steals Finale". Speed Sport. November 7, 2020. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
  8. ↑ Srigley, Joseph (January 29, 2021). "Jesse Love Joining Venturini Motorsports for 10-Race ARCA Schedule in 2021". TobyChristie.com.
  9. ↑ Haislop, Tadd (October 3, 2021). "Jesse Love earns first ARCA Menards Series victory; Ty Gibbs wins Showdown title at Salem". ARCA. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  10. ↑ Srigley, Joseph (January 3, 2022). "Corey Heim and Jesse Love Sharing Ventuirini Motorsports No. 20 in 2022". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  11. ↑ Starcevic, R. J. (August 21, 2022). "Jesse Love Leads Every Lap en Route to ARCA Victory at Springfield". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  12. ↑ Christie, Toby (January 10, 2023). "Jesse Love Running For 2023 ARCA Menards Series Championship With Venturini". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  13. ↑ Haislop, Tadd (September 30, 2023). "Jesse Love wins 2023 ARCA Menards Series championship". ARCA. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  14. ↑ Srigley, Joseph (February 9, 2023). "Jesse Love Inks Three-Race Deal with TRICON Garage, Making Truck Debut at Gateway". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  15. ↑ "Jesse Love taking over No. 2 Xfinity car for Richard Childress Racing in 2024". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media. October 25, 2023. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  16. ↑ "ARCA Menards Series champion Jesse Love moving to Xfinity Series with Richard Childress Racing". ARCARacing.com. October 25, 2023. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  17. ↑ Shoecraft, Don (September 25, 2021). "Menlo Park's Jesse Love pursuing his NASCAR dream". InMenlo. InMenlo, LLC. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  18. ↑ "Jesshill Love Counsel". Gray Duffy, LLP. 2022. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  19. ↑ "Jess Love". LinkedIn. 2022. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  20. ↑ "Jesse Love Inks Three Race Deal at Tricon Garage". TobyChristie.com. February 9, 2023. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  21. ↑ "Jesse Love – 2023 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  22. ↑ "Jesse Love – 2020 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  23. ↑ "Jesse Love – 2021 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
  24. ↑ "Jesse Love – 2022 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  25. ↑ "Jesse Love – 2023 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  26. ↑ "Jesse Love – 2020 ARCA Menards Series East Results". Racing Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
  27. ↑ "Jesse Love – 2021 ARCA Menards Series East Results". Racing Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
  28. ↑ "Jesse Love – 2022 ARCA Menards Series East Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  29. ↑ "Jesse Love – 2023 ARCA Menards Series East Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
  30. ↑ "Jesse Love – 2020 ARCA Menards Series West Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 7, 2020.
  31. ↑ "Jesse Love – 2021 ARCA Menards Series West Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  32. ↑ "Jesse Love – 2022 ARCA Menards Series West Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  33. ↑ "Jesse Love – 2023 ARCA Menards Series West Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
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