Jesse Love Stays Second in Points After Tough Break at Pocono
June 13, 2026
Event: MillerTech Battery 250 presented by KOA | Pocono Raceway
Jesse Love and the No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet team left Pocono Raceway with a result that did not reflect the speed they brought to the weekend, as an unavoidable Lap 1 incident cut short what looked like a promising day in the MillerTech Battery 250 presented by KOA.
Love entered Saturday with real momentum after showing strong pace in practice, and the early expectation was that the Richard Childress Racing driver would be a factor once the race settled in. Instead, the day unraveled almost immediately when the No. 17 car of Corey Day spun, hit the wall, and shot back down across the track directly in front of Love. With nowhere to go, Love was collected in the crash before the race had a chance to develop.
Official results credited Love with a 37th-place finish after completing just one lap, but the final box score tells only part of the story. The Pocono outcome was more about circumstance than performance, and it denied the reigning series champion the opportunity to show the kind of speed his team had flashed leading into the race.
"Just frustrated obviously, thought our Camaro was going to be good today," Love said after the race. "Only got one lap to feel it out, but I was happy with that one corner, wish we had gotten a few more."
Even with the early exit, Love remains second in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series championship standings heading into next weekend's event at Naval Base Coronado. The San Diego stop will mark the first time NASCAR has raced at Naval Base Coronado, adding a unique road-course challenge to the schedule and giving the No. 2 team a quick opportunity to turn the page.
For Love and the entire Richard Childress Racing group, the focus now shifts from frustration to response. Pocono was a missed opportunity, but the bigger picture remains firmly in front of them. With seven regular-season races still remaining and Love still positioned near the top of the standings, the objective is clear: regroup quickly, capitalize on the speed they continue to bring, and be ready to attack the next one.
About Jesse Love
Jesse Love is the defending NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series champion and one of the sport's top young drivers. The Menlo Park, California, native drives the No. 2 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing and continues to be a weekly contender as he battles for another championship in 2026.
About Whelen
Whelen Engineering is a leading manufacturer of emergency warning equipment, lighting, sirens, and safety technology trusted by first responders and public safety professionals across the country. The company has built a strong reputation for innovation, reliability, and American manufacturing.
About Naval Base Coronado
Naval Base Coronado is a major U.S. Navy installation in the San Diego area made up of multiple military facilities and commands. The June 19-21, 2026 NASCAR weekend will mark the first time NASCAR has competed at Naval Base Coronado, creating one of the most distinctive venues on the 2026 schedule.
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