ROCKINGHAM — Jesse Love fought for position all afternoon, taking the lead several times before ending up in the winner’s circle at Rockingham Speedway for the N.C. Education Lottery 250.
The win marks the first in NASCAR’s Xfinity (formerly Busch) Series since 2004 — the year before Love was born.
The 20-year-old California native started seventh and slowly caught up with and passed Nick Sanchez, who led a majority of the first 50 laps of the race. However, Sanchez regained the lead just before the end of Stage 1.
Carson Kvapil made it to the front of the pack early in Stage 2, battling Love to hold on to the position.
Love started the final stage with Brandon Jones not far behind. Jones wound up leading twice with a total of six laps, before Kvapil moved back to the front.
With fewer than 90 laps to go, Ryan Sieg took the lead, holding on for a total of 77 — the most in the race. Love led the second most with 53.
Jesse Love poses next to his trophy after winning the N.C. Education Lottery 250 at Rockingham Speedway.
William R. Toler - Richmond Observer
Several wrecks led to caution flags and restarts in the final laps of the race, which led to an overtime extension. Sammy Smith took point with two laps to go, however Love was able to slide by and hang on for the win.
“I think the more aggressive we get, the better we’ll continually run,” Love said.
After taking the checkered flag, Love made a few donuts before burning out at the wall. However, when he got out of his car, it rolled backwards down the track toward the winner’s circle.
Saturday’s race ties the one in ‘97 for the third-most lead changes in the series at the track, with 17. The series saw 21 changes in ‘89 and ‘91, and 19 in ‘85. The record for lead changes in the Cup Series at the Rock is 36 set in ‘81 and ‘83.
Jesse Love (No. 2) pulls ahead of Sammy Smith (No. 8) on the frontstretch of Rockingham Speedway.
William R. Toler - Richmond Observer
NOTE: This story has been updated to correct Love's age. 9:26 p.m. 4-19-25
