Jesse Love, the reigning champion of the 2025 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, is set to take on a major new challenge: the 2026 Chili Bowl Nationals in Tulsa, Oklahoma, known as the premier midget racing event in the country. Bringing the skills and confidence that propelled him to the top of NASCAR, Love aims to demonstrate his versatility and make a mark at the “World’s Greatest Midget Race.”
NASCAR Talent Meets Midget Racing Tradition
Love, just 20 years old, will pilot a 2nd Opinion Auto Center Racing entry owned by NASCAR Cup Series crew chief Blake Harris during the prestigious week-long dirt event at the SageNet Center. This appearance not only highlights his adaptability but also marks a rare moment as an active NASCAR champion steps into the demanding world of grassroots midget racing.
The Chili Bowl Nationals has a storied reputation for bringing together top talent from NASCAR, IndyCar, sprint cars, and grassroots circuits. The sheer number of participants means only the most adaptable and resolute drivers earn a place in Saturday’s A-Main. The event requires more than a notable résumé—it takes patience and exceptional skill on dirt track surfaces to excel.
For Jesse Love, this crossover is a homecoming of sorts. While his 2025 success in the Xfinity Series solidified his status on pavement, his earliest achievements came on dirt tracks, with wins in the Xtreme Outlaw National Midget Series and POWRi West, as well as setting a USAC track record at Gas City I-69 Speedway. These accomplishments make him well-equipped for the challenges unique to the Chili Bowl and position him as one of the most interesting entrants in the 2026 field.
Expanding the Team’s Ambitions in Tulsa
The team behind his entry, 2nd Opinion Auto Center Racing, is a family-run operation led by Dan and Patricia Harris based out of Texas. Having participated in the Chili Bowl for more than ten years, they bring deep experience to the event. This year, they’re fielding an ambitious five-car lineup, featuring not only Jesse Love but also Matt Sherrell, Luke Storer, Tanner Berryhill, and Jeb Sessums. The expansive roster signals their desire to secure a stronger presence throughout the highly competitive week.
Love’s journey at the Chili Bowl will be accessible to fans thanks to comprehensive live coverage on FloRacing, which remains the event’s broadcast partner. Adding to the prestige, motorsports legend Tony Stewart is scheduled to serve as the grand marshal, bringing additional excitement and visibility to the race’s opening ceremonies.
High Stakes for a NASCAR Titleholder
While live broadcasts and the presence of major stars add to the spectacle, for Jesse Love, the focus is squarely on performance. His entry under the Richard Childress Racing banner is less about offseason exposure and more about going wheel-to-wheel with the nation’s top dirt racers. The Chili Bowl has a reputation for leveling the playing field, ensuring that past triumphs mean little once the racing begins and the clay starts to fly.
Arriving as a reigning NASCAR champion brings both expectation and challenge. Love is not entering simply to experiment—he is there to prove that the abilities honed in his championship campaign can translate seamlessly to the intense, close-quarters battles of midget racing. As the week unfolds, all eyes will be on Tulsa to see if the instincts that earned him NASCAR stardom can also deliver success on dirt.
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