Jesse Love didn't rob Connor Zilisch: The RCR driver raced fair, won fair, and deserves to enjoy his championship

When Jesse Love crossed the line first at the NASCAR Xfinity Series finale at Phoenix Raceway this Saturday, he upset several fans. It seemed unfair, since Connor Zilisch dominated much of the season. But the system had clear rules, and Love followed them to the letter.

The Richard Childress Racing driver started the race in sixth place, behind Zilisch, but locked down the title by making a pass on him with 24 laps remaining. He held on and finished the season as champion after making it to the last Xfinity playoff round as the fourth and final driver. Zilisch, meanwhile, had ten wins and an outstanding rookie campaign but lost out on the title when the finale counted most.

"He's my best friend in the whole world, but not when we're racing each other. We race each other hard, but fair. I knew I had to take it there. I knew he was going to put it on my door. I knew I had to throttle up and get my nose ahead. He was running a really good race. My car was just better tonight," Jesse Love said, via Motorsport.

Some critics argue that Love got lucky with the playoff format and robbed the JR Motorsports driver of his well-deserved title. However, the championship is decided by the current playoff format, and until it is changed, Love did nothing wrong. He won when it mattered and maintained control as all of JRM's three Championship 4 teams faltered.

While the efficiency of the current playoff format is debatable, Love is not to blame for the rules and deserves to enjoy his championship, which he won fair and square.

"He did all the right things" - 2024 Xfinity Series Champion on Jesse Love

NASCAR Xfinity: NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship - Source: Imagn

Jesse Love managed to beat JR Motorsports, which had the best odds to the title on paper. He took his second win of the season after winning the Xfinity season opener at Daytona and passed his close friend Connor Zilisch, who came in third, to claim the title.

The 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series champion, Justin Allgaier, who finished fifth last night, explained the point. He said, via Motorsport:

"He drove by all of us. He did all the right things. That to me is doing what your job is and excelling at it. They rose to the occasion and we didn't. I'm not mad about it. I just got to go work harder next year. If the format is the same, make the most of it. If not, we'll do something different."

Zilisch, who had posted a record-breaking 18 consecutive top-5 finishes and collected a series-high 10 wins this season, was leading or in strong contention until Jesse Love slipped ahead on a late restart. The No. 2 Chevrolet driver came into the race believing his career depended on claiming the Xfinity title and did it.