NASCAR is a sport we all love, but sometimes it can be the cruelest thing in the world. That is what rookie Richard Childress Racing driver Jesse Love experienced in the second race of his debut full-time Xfinity Series campaign. The 19-year-old was the most instantaneous yet dominant driver in the race on Saturday, but inadequate fuel proved to be his downfall as he lost the whole race with just a couple of laps remaining.
However, he expressed maturity beyond his years as he took the loss like a seasoned veteran. The RCR man focused on the positives of the day and said that he was not going to question the way things went. The driver of the #2 car will be focused on a whole different level next week when NASCAR goes racing at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Jesse Love attempts to laugh off a mishap in Atlanta
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
In his post-race interview, the 19-year-old was visibly disappointed as he made sense of what went on during the race. Losing a race from a winning position with a few laps to go hurts. But when it happens due to something like inadequate fuel, it must be absolutely soul-crushing. Even race winner Austin Hill mentioned that it should have been Love on Victory Road.
As he thanked his teammate, Jesse Love explained just where he and his team might have gone wrong in what was a rather dull race. He mentioned that perhaps he could have a bit of fuel while leading. However, to do what he did at his age in a competition like this, the RCR driver has everything he needs to become a superstar in stock car racing.
“You know, it’s almost comical. I’m laughing it off right now. As a man of god, I am not going to question reality on why the caution was so long and if that didn’t happen, if we could have made it or if I could have saved a little bit more fuel, leading. I was trying really hard, I didn’t want to get taken advantage of with like 16 to go when I’m not expecting it so I tried to step on the pump and stay aggressive, and obviously there was no way we were gonna pit there. Once I got to third gear and it died. Got to get it back for a little bit and then it died again so…frustrating,” Jesse Love said.
"It almost is comical, I'm laughing it off right now."@jesselovejr1 led a race-high 157 laps, but ran out fuel on the final restart from the lead.
A heartbreaker, but still a very impressive showing for the rookie.#NASCAR #RAPTOR250 pic.twitter.com/SIel2Juczp
— NASCAR on TSN (@NASCARonTSN) February 25, 2024
It just stings and that’s quite evident on the RCR man’s face, but he is just 19. Jesse Love will learn from his mistakes today and his teammate Austin Hill, who went on to win the race at the Atlanta Motor Speedway.
How did Austin Hill’s experience get the edge over youth?
Trending
“We Are Not Morning People”- Travel Woes Hit Home for Kyle Busch & Wife Samantha Leaving Son Brexton Grinning
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Offers a Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity to His Loyal Fanbase as He Gears Up for His Return With Budweiser
Tony Stewart’s Wife Leah Pruett Pens a Heartfelt Message for Husband After His Unwavering Support for His Family
“Godspeed Les” – NASCAR Loses Old School Pioneer Integral to Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Late Modal Venture
Rick Hendrick’s Alliance Rumored to Save Chevy Prodigy Who Crashed Kyle Busch’s Party
The veteran racer knew that fuel was going to be an issue, and it was his years of experience that came in handy at the right time. It turns out that the 29-year-old had been saving fuel, which ultimately made the difference in the end. However, he essentially got lucky as his teammate left the event, as it might have been a completely different story if Jesse Love had the right amount of gas left in the tank towards the end.
“I was really thinking we were down and out. I was thinking the 2 (Love) was going to go get ’em, and hey, if I can’t win, let my teammate win. We were riding there in fourth or fifth – whatever it was – I was saving fuel,” the RCR star said.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
“The 81 (Smith) hit me really hard, and that woke it back up, and I had enough fuel to complete the lap. But I’ve got to take this moment to congratulate, Jesse Love, my teammate. He ran an awesome race. To be a rookie and to lead that many laps, he should be sitting in Victory Lane right now,” he added.
✅ GA Boy
✅ Home Track WIN
✅ #HOTlanta Racing #RAPTOR250 pic.twitter.com/CLWvXRpOWq— Atlanta Motor Speedway (@ATLMotorSpdwy) February 25, 2024
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Richard Childress Racing is the real winner here. 2 straight pole wins and race victories are exactly how they would have performed this year. But they look like the strongest race team in the competition at the moment, by far. It will be interesting to see how the season progresses and how Jesse Love grows into his role as a NASCAR driver.
Read More – NASCAR News: Kyle Busch Wins at Atlanta in the Craftsman Truck Series