Jesse Love Ready for the Next Step with NASCAR Cup Debut

gettyimages-2207404416 — MARTINSVILLE, VIRGINIA - MARCH 28: Jesse Love, driver of the #2 Whelen Chevrolet, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Xfinity Series US Marine Corps 250 at Martinsville Speedway on March 28, 2025 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)

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NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Jesse Love is getting the opportunity he has longed for since childhood.

Richard Childress Racing announced on Friday that Love, currently third in the Xfinity standings, will make his NASCAR Cup Series debut on April 13 at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Love will drive the No, 33 Ultimate Energy Chevrolet in the Food City 500.

“Obviously, it’s really special,” said Love. “I’ve known for a couple of weeks now—maybe a couple of months. Overall, I feel really excited and blessed and humbled by the opportunity to compete at the level that I’ve wanted to since I was a kid. It does not feel real yet, right? I can tell that kind of by my emotions.

“But at the same time, I’m trying not to fall into the trap of, when you do get your Cup start, of taking a deep breath and (saying), ‘Ah, I’ve made it,’ and maybe getting a little bit content. I don’t want to fall into that trap. I want to stay with the same mind-set that I’ve had my whole life to get me to this point. But I am really grateful.”