Dale Earnhardt Jr. reacts to Jesse Love outperforming all JRM drivers to claim the NASCAR championship: “Wasn’t a fluke”

On the latest episode of the Dale Jr. Download podcast, former NASCAR Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. praised Jesse Love for his performance in the Championship 4 race. Love was the only Richard Childress Racing driver during the finale race and competed alongside three JR Motorsports drivers, Connor Zilisch, Justin Allgaier, and Carson Kvapil.

The #2 Chevy driver began the 200-lap race from outside the top five drivers in sixth place with a best time of 27.651 seconds and a top speed of 130.194 mph. On the other hand, JR Motorsports drivers Zilisch and Allgaier were among the top five drivers qualifying in P4 and P5. Meanwhile, Joe Gibbs Racing driver Brandon Jones clinched the pole position with a best lap time of 27.490 seconds.

Despite starting among the top ten drivers, Jesse Love struggled during the initial stage of the race and finished in P12. He then moved a few spots and wrapped stage two in P5. Then on lap 175 of the 200-lap race, the RCR driver took the lead from JR Motorsports driver Connor Zilisch and led the remaining race.

Reflecting on the #2 Chevy driver's performance, Dale Earnhardt Jr. praised him and stated [10:59]:

"As long as they got all the lugs on the car at the end of the race, I mean, it's fair. They took advantage of every single corner and anywhere they could cut and gain an advantage. And hey, I can't take anything away from them. It wasn't a fluke. They ran great all night. They passed us, drove by, and won the race. Had the faster car at the end when it counted."

Jesse Love won his first-ever Xfinity Series championship, crossing the finish line 0.861 seconds ahead of Aric Almirola. Meanwhile, the JR Motorsports championship-qualified drivers Connor Zilisch, Justin Allgaier, and Carson Kvapil finished in P3, P5, and P13.

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"I just feel so clean. So relieved": Jesse Love opened up about his maiden Xfinity Series championship title

Richard Childress Racing driver Jesse Love clinched his first-ever Xfinity Series championship title in his second full-time season in the series. Following that, the 2025 Xfinity Series champion expressed his emotions on securing the title.

Love began his Xfinity Series last year with Richard Childress Racing. Since then, he has been driving the #2 Chevy for the team and secured his maiden victory at Talladega Superspeedway in 2024. In the 2025 season, the Xfinity Series driver secured two more wins at the inaugural racing event at Daytona International Speedway and the finale race at Phoenix Raceway.

Reflecting on that, Jesse Love expressed his emotions on the Championship 4 victory:

“I just feel so clean. So relieved. It’s been a tough year for me and people like my dad and my whole 2 team to work as hard on my own dream as I have… it just doesn’t feel real.”

Jesse Love has amassed three victories, 16 top fives, and 40 top tens in 66 starts for Richard Childress Racing during his two-year tenure with the team. Additionally, he led 638 laps with an average finish of 11.5 and an average start of 9.2.