For most people gearing up to watch the Xfinity Series’ Daytona 500, Richard Childress Racing was the favorite. Austin Hill, with his strong record in the Great American Race, was on everyone’s minds. And he wasn’t alone. With drivers like Harrison Burton, someone who stunned fans by winning at the track in the Cup Series last year, no one expected Jesse Love to win. What unfolded on Saturday night was more than just another race; it was wild! But even then, the youngest holder of the ARCA Menards Series Championship holder navigated through them holding his position high or was it simply a stroke of Daytona luck?

The driver revealed it all when speaking about it following the race.

Jesse Love stays humble after Daytona win

Jesse Love started in the 9th position and led three times for a total of 30 laps, showcasing his navigational skills. After overcoming a chaotic situation as he approached the finish line and claimed victory despite strong challenges, ended up giving heartfelt credit to a supreme energy. “I am so out of breath. ohh my gosh, my breath. Man, just so thankful that the good Lord above put me in this position,” he said after the race.

This gratitude hints somewhere on the chaotic part that unfolded on the lap 119 crash, that involved 9 drivers. Going forward, he fought for the lead with Sheldon Creed during the three critical restarts that were the result of the wreck behind him. However, this wasn’t the biggest bullet he dodged on the speedway. Earlier in the race, on lap 5, Jesse Love bumped Brandon Jones, triggering a multi-car pileup that collected Connor Zilisch, Harrison Burton, Brennan Poole, and his best friend Daniel Dye. 

However, with just 13 laps to go, there were a bunch of crashes that set up a final, dramatic restart. Then, things got more intense when Justin Allgaier and Taylor Gray bumped, sending Allgaier spinning right into Jordan Anderson. It caused a chain reaction wreck, and as Jesse Love was heading towards the finish, about to grab the white flag, the caution flag flew. Luckily for Love, officials said he’d already crossed the line, so he got the win under caution.

To his credit, Love apologized for bumping into the No. 20 car. “It very easily could have been my fault, and if it was, then I apologize to the 20 because obviously I don’t want to be that guy that starts wrecks. It could have very easily been my fault, and if it is I’ll talk to Brandon and apologize to him, and Daniel will probably yell at me when we get home anyway.”

A really big win for the 20-year-old, Richard Childress Racing rising star as he expressed his gratitude to the team, emphasizing the prominent support availed by them. 

Jesse Love’s token of gratitude for RCR

Initially, Jesse Love had a viewpoint that the Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway were going to be the same, so he could use his Talladega strategy on it. But when he closely observed the unlike nature of the broad Talladega and narrower Daytona raceways. He got clarity over his opinion on the strategy, then he started working on building his understanding of the Florida track. Right from refining strategies to seeking insights from the competitor teammate Austin Hill to simulator sessions, he tried everything under prominent guidance. 

Jesse Love expressed, “So many people have helped me get to this point. Billy Venturini, Shane Rush, the people that taught me how to race here at Daytona. Thank you guys. Our ECR, Richard Childress Racing.” The invaluable support he received from RCR key figures is laudable, whereas he just didn’t get the crucial guidance from his mentor Billy Venturini, who has also been his coach for 4 years. Shane Rush also supported him to get used to the tracks, while Josh Wise helped him keep a cool mind. 

Love has also expressed his views on Josh stating, “Josh Wise changed my life the other week helping me compartmentalize my mind, and it’s easy to because the green-white-checkereds suck,” Love stated. “I take a lot of what Josh Wise says to heart and I kind of tapped into the mindset of no fear, no emotion, and no, I guess, anxiety. Just straight will to succeed and will to win.”

Going ahead he talked about his determination and positive commitment to the Richard Childress Racing team, saying “What happened to twenty-one? I’m not sure what happened, but he was really dominant tonight. And, you know, we’re working on changing our culture here in RCR. We’re winners. We know we are.” Love said, “We all wanna win a championship for Richard Childress. So that thing was the fastest Xfinity Mobile. And, I’m ready to go, into Atlanta, I think, now. So it’s awesome.” Austin Hill, who started high by winning both Stage 1 and Stage 2 and led 56 laps had to retire due to some mechanical failure. Passing the torch to Love to carry RCR’s hopes, on which he certainly stood.