Jesse Love is set to return to Tulsa, Oklahoma, for the 2026 Chili Bowl Nationals, aiming for a breakthrough after previous challenges at this iconic midget racing event. Love will be behind the wheel of a car owned by Blake Harris, crew chief for Alex Bowman and Hendrick Motorsports’ No. 48 team in the NASCAR Cup Series, as he seeks success on one of racing’s most competitive indoor stages.
High Stakes at the 2026 Chili Bowl Nationals
The Chili Bowl Nationals, hosted annually at SageNet Center in Tulsa, stands as the premier gathering for midget racing talent worldwide. Love, who once celebrated victory in the Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series, has entered the Chili Bowl Nationals three times but has yet to secure a spot in the prestigious A-Main. His most recent effort in 2024 ended dramatically when he flipped his car while leading his qualifying race, a moment that fueled his determination to return stronger.
This year, Love joins a formidable lineup of NASCAR talent. Defending Chili Bowl champion Kyle Larson headlines the entry list, supported by three-time title winner Christopher Bell and Ty Gibbs, adding further intensity to the competition. The event’s star power emphasizes how significant a strong outing would be for Love’s career.
Momentum from a Championship Season
Jesse Love arrives in Tulsa riding the momentum of an impressive 2025 campaign. He captured the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series championship by outpacing JR Motorsports drivers Connor Zilisch, Justin Allgaier, and Carson Kvapil in the Championship 4 at Phoenix Raceway. Despite being the underdog, Love delivered a standout performance on the first Saturday of November, demonstrating both skill and resolve under pressure.
In the decisive race at Phoenix, Love controlled 34 laps and executed the pivotal pass for victory over Zilisch on lap 176 of 200. For Zilisch, a standout rookie in the Xfinity Series, the loss was a setback during a season in which he scored 10 wins and achieved a record-breaking streak of 18 top-five finishes. Love’s grit in outdueling such accomplished rivals added increasing anticipation for his next challenge at the 2026 Chili Bowl Nationals.
Love’s Perspective and Drive
After triumphing in the championship, Love expressed candid emotions:
“I feel so clean, you know, relieved”
—Jesse Love, Driver
Reflecting on the road to his championship, he added:
“It’s been a tough year for me. I’ve just put so much work into it. People like my dad and Scott Speed and the whole No. 2 team have worked just as hard for my dream as I have for my own… it doesn’t feel real.”
—Jesse Love, Driver
Anticipation Builds Around NASCAR Contenders
Love’s quest for redemption is amplified by the deep field of talent drawn from across NASCAR, with the likes of Larson, Christopher Bell, and Ty Gibbs ensuring that every contested lap in Tulsa will carry championship-caliber intensity. The Chili Bowl Nationals is not just a test of speed and agility, but also a proving ground for drivers eager to build legacies beyond their usual racing circuits.
With notable names such as Joseph Srigley reporting on Love’s return, and industry figures like Blake Harris and Alex Bowman’s crew providing technical support, attention is fixed on whether Jesse Love can capitalize on his championship-winning momentum. His performance at the SageNet Center will signal whether 2026 becomes the year he finally conquers the event that has eluded him.
As race day approaches, fans and competitors alike will be watching to see if Love’s determination and experience translate into a breakthrough at the 2026 Chili Bowl Nationals, a race that remains a defining milestone in the world of midget racing.
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
https://twitter.com/jesselovejr1/status/2008577235222229000
