The question around Jesse Love’s next off-season move finally has an answer. The defending NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series champion will compete in the 2026 Chili Bowl Nationals, linking up with a familiar NASCAR name as he continues to prepare for another title run.
Love will drive the No. 84 midget with backing from CB Industries, Spike, Speedway Toyota, HomeSmiles, PristineAuction.com, and Billy Boat Exhaust. The car is owned by Cup Series crew chief Blake Harris and will be fielded by 2nd Opinion Auto Center Racing, a Texas-based team with growing visibility in grassroots racing circles.
The confirmation came through NASCAR insider Toby Christie, who wrote on X:
“Jesse Love, the 2025 #NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series champion, will officially compete in the 2026 Chili Bowl Nationals. Love will drive a car owned by Cup crew chief Blake Harris, which will be fielded by 2nd Opinion Auto Center Racing.”
The Chili Bowl Nationals has long been the winter proving ground where dirt specialists, open-wheel stars, and stock-car names mix. This week, the structure is similar to last year with preliminary nights, alphabet mains, and a long Saturday fight to reach the feature on December 17. Drivers chase the Golden Driller and, more importantly, the rhythm and craft that carry into their regular seasons.
Over the years, NASCAR drivers have helped elevate the event further. They have used the week to stay sharp, test themselves, and connect directly with fans in a grassroots setting ahead of a long, hard season. Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell turned their duels into headline moments and will return this year. Other names participating include Ty Gibbs, Kyle Busch, and Brent Crews.
Jesse Love’s earlier social media activity sparked questions. He hinted that something “bigger” was coming, and the garage read that as potential movement beyond the Xfinity ladder. That conversation gained traction fast, especially with his championship momentum and his long-term alignment with Richard Childress Racing. The reveal settles that discussion.
Jesse Love prepares for Chili Bowl ahead of his title defense
The Chili Bowl run is only one thread in a busy start to 2026 for Jesse Love. The 21-year-old returns as the reigning champion in the rebranded O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, staying in the No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet with RCR. His 2025 season required patience more than dominance, and he has already admitted that recreating that same internal edge will be a challenge.
Before the new season takes hold, though, he has been keeping his hands on the wheel wherever possible. He raced in the Super2 Series in the Supercars finale weekend, driving the Image Racing Commodore ZB to a 14th-place finish. After the Chili Bowl announcement, he posted a clip on X, firing up an indoor kart with the caption:
“Indoor szn,”
The Chili Bowl fits smoothly into that rhythm. The event runs January 12-17. NASCAR’s preseason testing arrives shortly after, with teams gathering in the final week of January, followed by the Clash on February 1. The full slate then shifts to Daytona, where all three national divisions return on February 15. For Jesse Love, the path is clear.
