Reigning NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series champion Jesse Love has announced that he will enter this year’s Chili Bowl Nationals. The news was reported by Racing America’s Joseph Srigley on X on Tuesday, Jan. 6. Soon, fans started commenting on his post.
As per Srigley, Jesse Love will drive a car owned by Hendrick Motorsports driver Alex Bowman’s crew chief, Blake Harris. Furthermore, the car will be fielded in competition under the banner of 2nd Opinion Auto Center Racing. Fans can watch all that live on FloRacing, the official live streaming provider of the Chili Bowl Nationals.
Srigley wrote:
“NEWS: Defending #NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series champion @JesseLoveJr1 will compete in the 2026 #ChiliBowlNationals in a car owned by #NASCAR Cup Series crew chief Blake Harris.”
NEWS: Defending #NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series champion @JesseLoveJr1 will compete in the 2026 #ChiliBowlNationals in a car owned by #NASCAR Cup Series crew chief Blake Harris.
— Joseph Srigley (@joe_srigley) January 6, 2026
Several fans reacted to the post, with one writing:
“It was worth the wait.”
“I knew it,” wrote another.
Here are a few more reactions to the news:
“W Jesse!!! Working with my pookie Bowman after you said in the championship interview,” a fan commented.
“Announce Beard Motorsports Daytona500 entry or they gonna cook me in the replies on the other post,” wrote another.
“I see that 2nd opinion sponsor,” someone added.
“Is that a Harris entry or another team?” a fan asked.
Well, it’s not the first time for Jesse Love at the Chili Bowls, though his 2024 outing was not that great. A mid-race flip derailed his shot at the coveted Golden Driller, and the young racing phenom walked away disappointed. Never before has he qualified for the Saturday night A-Main.
Jesse Love Reveals What He Thinks is the “Biggest Problem” Among NASCAR Fans
Jesse Love believes the biggest problem with NASCAR fans is that they are always finding faults, and that nobody seems to be happy about the direction that the sport is headed.
Reflecting on his recent tour to Australia, Jesse Love observed that people loved watching even the “worst” Formula 1 races held there. He said:
“I just got back from Australia, where all the people really enjoyed what they were doing where they were at. I watched the F1 race, which was probably the worst racing I watched all year as far as a product goes, and people seemed to love that.”
“I do think that’s our biggest problem is that it’s become so not trendy, but popular to be against NASCAR and be against everything that has to do with it. I think that’s the biggest problem. I think what we have right now is actually really great,” he added.
On the NASCAR side of things, next up for Jesse Love is the United Rentals 300 at Daytona International Speedway on February 14. Fans can watch the race live on CW (5 pm ET) or listen to in-race radio updates on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
