“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,” said Richard Childress about his new Cup Series debutant. This weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway, a new face is stepping into the spotlight, and it’s got everyone talking—especially his teammate, the legendary Kyle Busch. Jesse Love, a 20-year-old Xfinity Series standout, is making his Cup Series debut with Richard Childress Racing (RCR), and he’s already leaving an impression on the veteran driver. And it’s not just Love’s talent behind the wheel that’s turning heads.

It’s his unexpected approach off the track that’s got Busch raising an eyebrow. Love’s journey to this moment feels like a dream unfolding. At just 15, he became the youngest champion in NASCAR history, clinching the ARCA Menards Series West title in 2020. Fast forward to 2023, and he dominated the ARCA Menards Series, winning half the races. His rookie Xfinity season in 2024 included a win, five poles, and Rookie of the Year honors. This year, he kicked things off with a victory at Daytona, locking his team into the playoffs. Now, he’s stepping up to pilot the No. 33 C4 Ultimate Energy Chevrolet at Bristol, and he’s carrying the weight of a lifelong goal.

Kyle Busch finds Jesse Love to be a rare creature

“Racing in the Cup Series has always been my main goal and dream,” Love said. “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.” To be a great driver, you have to have passion behind the wheel, and Jesse Love has that, as Childress put it. He’s studied film, run simulator laps at Chevrolet, and leaned on veterans to prep for Bristol’s half-mile chaos, where he’s raced in lower series. That passion is clear, but it’s Love’s preparation that’s got Busch talking.

When asked about his rookie teammate, Busch didn’t hold back, revealing a moment that caught him off guard. “Ah, just that he picked up the phone and asked and called, you know? So, um, I think that’s the first thing, right? You know, a lot of drivers, they don’t do that anymore these days, you know? So, if you call, I’m willing to talk to you and help you and give you as much as you ask and, you know, and try to give you what you can to get you started and be ready to go when you get here.”

Jesse Love has admittedly leaned on Busch, soaking up advice from the two-time Cup champion. “It’d be dumb of me to not go ask some questions and pick his brain whenever I can,” Love said ahead of Bristol. “He’s [Kyle Busch’s] been helpful, for sure, and I always feel like Kyle’s been an open book. I will say Kyle’s probably the toughest competitor in the garage.”

And Kyle Busch has always been this mentor figure. During his days of owning Kyle Busch Motorsports in the Truck Series, Rowdy mentored the likes of Christopher Bell, William Byron, and Erik Jones, all of whom have won multiple races at the highest level! So, it’s no surprise that Busch appreciates Love’s call. It’s something that he feels most drivers lack these days. For Busch, it all starts with the upbringing.

What has really surprised the media is Love’s calm demeanor, which prompted them to inquire from his veteran teammate itself. Busch added, “I don’t know, man. I guess it’s just the way you’re raised, you know? I’ve seen a lot of young drivers come in and, you know, they’re just kind of wet behind the ears, maybe a little quiet, things like that, a little more reserved. But they all figure it out eventually and, you know, they feel they have their own star power.”

Love’s confidence shines through in his calm approach. “It’s going to be a high-pressure environment, so I don’t really feel like going into it overly excited, and ambitious is the best way to go about it,” he said. “I’m just trying to keep a level head the whole weekend. I’ve got 500 laps to stay disciplined, so trying to keep the excitement level somewhat to a minimum,” Love added. Discipline should be the key word to note here, as that is something a veteran like Busch must have stressed, especially after seeing what went on in the Xfinity Series, which Love races in every week. However, as Love said, he’s staying calm but is aware of the pressure, and in case of any tension building up before the race, he already has an off-track hobby that helps him enter a lighthearted zone.

Off the track, Love’s letting fans into his world through a YouTube series that’s raw and real. It’s not just about racing—it’s the late-night laughs with teammates, the sting of on-track rivalries, and the bond of chasing dreams together. “I am really pumped to showcase this group of guys and how much fun we have, even though we may be rivals on the race track. Fans see us go head-to-head against each other on track each week, but this gives us a chance to show that not only are we fierce competitors, but great friends as well.” Love said. From tense moments in the garage to joking around during downtime, the series shows the heart of a kid from California, balancing ambition and authenticity. It’s a glimpse at the friendships that ground him and the rivalries that push him, making fans feel like they’re along for the ride.

As Bristol looms, Love’s debut is more than a race—it’s a full-circle moment. Driving to the track, he felt echoes of his childhood, racing quarter midgets with his dad. “That was a really cool, emotional experience for me,” he shared. With Busch in his corner, Love’s ready to tackle the “Last Great Colosseum,” proving he’s not just a rookie but a future star who’s already rewriting the playbook.

Do you think Jesse Love can put on a show in his Cup Series debut? Let us know in the comments!