NASCAR Xfinity Series standout Jesse Love is set to make his debut at NASCAR’s highest level next month, competing in the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway for Richard Childress Racing.
The Menlo Park, California-native will get behind the wheel of the No. 33 Chevrolet ZL1 in the 500-lap contest from the half-mile short track in Bristol, Tennessee, with long-time NASCAR crew chief Andy Street calling the shots.
“Racing in the Cup Series has always been my main goal and dream,” said Love. “Everything that I have done up to this point in my career has been building to this moment. To make my Cup Series debut at this age is very special, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to make it with RCR. Everyone has welcomed me with open arms over the last year, and the organization feels like family.”
C4 Energy, a multi-year partner of Love’s endeavours competing in the ARCA Menards Series and NASCAR’s National Series, will serve as the primary sponsor of the entry.
Love is a two-time NASCAR Xfinity Series race-winner, who is currently at the start of his second full-time campaign driving the No. 2 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing.
The 20-year-old racer captured a victory in the season-opener at Daytona International Speedway in February, following up his victory from last Spring at Talladega Superspeedway.
In addition to claiming NASCAR Xfinity Series rookie honors last season, Love is also a former champion of the ARCA Menards Series — where he spent his formative years competing for Venturini Motorsports.
“I’m excited to have Jesse make his Cup Series debut in the No. 33 Chevrolet,” said Richard Childress, chairman and chief executive officer of RCR. “From the moment I started watching Jesse race, I knew that he had the talent. He has the passion for wanting to win and doing the best possible for his team. To be a great driver, you have to have passion behind the wheel and Jesse has that. We’ve seen him develop over the last year since he joined RCR, and I look forward to helping him compete at the highest level of our sport.”
Nutrabolt, owner of C4 energy, is the No. 1 pre-workout brand and one of the fastest-growing energy drink companies in the United States. The company has supported Love at Richard Childress Racing for the last two seasons, including a primary sponsorship last Summer at Nashville Superspeedway.
Love has made a total of 39 starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, recording a pair of victories, nine top-fives, and 23 top-10 finishes, including an incredible six pole positions (five of which came last season).
The second-year NASCAR Xfinity Series driver currently sits third in series point standings, and last season, in his rookie season, the driver of the No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet finished eighth.
Earlier this week, Richard Childress Racing (RCR) confirmed that Austin Hill, Love’s teammate in the Xfinity Series, would be running a five-race schedule in the No. 33 Chevrolet, starting at Darlington.
Love will debut in the Food City 500 at Bristol, which is set to take place on Sunday, April 13 at 3:00 PM ET. Coverage of the event will be on FS1, PRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.
