A new rivalry is brewing in NASCAR. It seems like Jesse Love is out for blood, as for the second day in a row, the Richard Childress Racing driver has had an issue with another Xfinity Series racer. While it was Riley Herbst during qualifying, the attention was shifted to Sheldon Creed during the race, and the two drivers were seen engaged in a heated battle with each other during Stage 2 of the 2025 Focused Health 250.

However, the controversy didn’t end there. Even after the checkered flag was waved at the Circuit of the Americas, the two drivers went on to engage in a verbal duel on X. Could this be the start of a brand-new feud in NASCAR’s second tier?

Sheldon Creed retaliates on social media after COTA drama

The on-track battle became the race’s highlight. Even though Connor Zilisch secured his first victory of the season at the Circuit of the Americas, the Focused Health 250 was overshadowed by the incidents between Jesse Love and Sheldon Creed. Despite there being no bad blood between the two drivers in the past, they were engaged in a heated physical exchange at COTA, with Love nudging Creed’s car, which prompted the California native to retaliate by shoving the No. 2 Chevy into the gravel trap.

Despite the on-track incidents, Jesse Love eventually prevailed by finishing sixth at the Circuit of the Americas. It wasn’t the outcome Sheldon Creed had hoped for, and it prompted the Haas Factory Team driver to write on X, “You play stupid games you win stupid prizes @jesselovejr1😄”, responding to a video featuring both the racers clashing on the track. However, the 20-year-old sophomore issued a snarky response of his own, going on to say, “Score board buddy” to highlight that six spots separated the two drivers, as Creed ended the race in 12th place.

The tension between both drivers is at an all-time high. Jesse Love, who is competing in his sophomore year in the Xfinity Series, is one of the brightest prospects in the sport. In comparison, Sheldon Creed almost looks like a seasoned veteran, despite having competed in only three full seasons in NASCAR’s second tier. The 27-year-old’s frustrations are understandable, as he is still looking for his first win in the competition, having finished runner-up on 13 different occasions.

Love, who has already established a reputation for being a great road course racer, had a point to prove. COTA’s new configuration requires drivers to compete aggressively to gain track positions, especially on the ‘calamity corner’ Turn 4. Hoping to continue Richard Childress Racing’s winning streak, the 20-year-old didn’t hesitate to trade paint against the former No. 2 Chevy driver, a decision that didn’t go down well with the California native. Could we see the two drivers go at it again at the GOVX 200 in Phoenix? Time will tell.

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Jesse Love frustrated another Xfinity Series racer

It seems like Jesse Love isn’t making any friends. Apart from his ‘beef’ with Sheldon Creed, the Richard Childress Racing driver was also involved in an on-track incident during qualifying ahead of the race at the Circuit of the Americas. The 20-year-old had a close call with Riley Herbst, and while the two cars didn’t collide, the move didn’t go down well with the Joe Gibbs Racing driver.

Stakes were high ahead of the 2025 Focused Health 250. Both Jesse Love and Riley Herbst were determined to clock the fastest lap they could at COTA’s newly overhauled 2.3-mile, 20-turn National Course. After the ‘close call’ move by Love, the No. 19 Toyota Supra driver retaliated by speeding around his rival, and both racers then took turns to overtake the other. The situation looked tense between the two, far from cordial, even though no contact was made by either of the two cars.

Herbst is on double-duty this weekend. After finishing 31st at the Circuit of the Americas, the 26-year-old will shift his attention to the Cup Series, where he will be competing for 23XI Racing. As for Jesse Love, the 20-year-old may have a target on his back going into Phoenix Raceway, with Sheldon Creed potentially looking for payback after the events that transpired at COTA.