LOVE CLAIMS NASCAR O’REILLY AUTO PARTS SERIES CHASE WIN IN NU WAY 225 POWERED BY BOBCAT AND SAUCED BY BLUES HOG
- Richard Childress Racing’s Jesse Love snaps a 25-race winless streak Saturday night to capture second race of the Chase.
- Sheldon Creed’s runner-up finish moves him into the championship lead.
- Chase drivers sweep the top eight finishing positions.
MADISON, Ill. (Sept. 12, 2026) – Defending O’Reilly Auto Parts Series champion Jesse Love gave his 2026 title hopes a major boost by snapping a 25-race winless streak with a victory in Saturday night’s Nu Way 225 Powered by Bobcat and Sauced by Blues Hog at World Wide Technology Raceway.
The Richard Childress Racing driver overtook Carson Kvapil with 16 laps remaining and went on to a 0.896-second victory over Haas Factory Team driver Sheldon Creed in the second race of the nine-race Chase playoff format. Love also won Stage 2 and led four times for 70 laps.
The victory, his first since winning the 2025 season finale at Phoenix, was the fourth of his O’Reilly Auto Parts Series career and moved him up two positions to fourth in the championship standings. He is 16 points back of the new championship leader Creed, who now holds a three-point lead over Justin Allgaier and a nine-point advantage over Kvapil.
“It’s been really hard, but I knew that if I keep my grit … if I keep my work ethic, not just keep it, but improve it, then eventually one of these opportunities is going to be there and I’m going to freaking take it,” Love said. “I love St. Louis. I got my first national Midget win across the street with Chad Boat. I had my first Truck race start here, and got beat here last year here, I had a good car. I’m just so proud of my team. I want to give all the glory to God for putting so many great people in my life. Man, I’m just so grateful.”
Kvapil, who won the pole earlier in the day, dominated the opening stage as the JR Motorsports driver led all 48 laps. He was followed by fellow Chase drivers Corey Day of Hendrick Motorsports and Allgaier, respectively. The biggest movers in the stage were Chase drivers Sam Mayer of the Haas Factory Team, who gained nine positions to finish ninth after starting 18th, and Viking Motorsports’ Parker Retzlaff, who climbed nine positions to 10th after starting 19th.
Chaos ensued as the field pitted between stages. A 10-car pileup at the entrance to pit lane, which included Chase drivers Brandon Jones and Rajah Caruth, led to a red-flag period of nearly eight minutes. When action resumed, Kvapil remained out front for the opening 33 laps of Stage 2 before Love passed him with 12 laps remaining. Love held on to win the stage while Mayer slipped past Kvapil with five laps remaining to take second.
Kvapil, who led three times for a race-high 105 laps, took control once again in the final stage. He held the lead for 26 laps, but Love continued to close the gap. He eventually made a strong inside pass and cleared Kvapil with 16 laps remaining. He maintained a lead of nearly one second the rest of the way and was never challenged.
Love was followed by seven Chase drivers, giving the championship contenders a sweep of the top eight positions. Creed, Mayer and Taylor Gray of Joe Gibbs Racing and Kvapil rounded out the top five, in order. Chase drivers Retzlaff, Brent Crews of JGR and Sammy Smith of JR Motorsports completed the top eight.
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For the latest Enjoy Illinois 300 NASCAR race weekend news, visit www.wwtraceway.com.
About World Wide Technology Raceway
World Wide Technology Raceway (WWTR) is the home of NASCAR, INDYCAR and NHRA racing in St. Louis’ Metro East region. Located just five minutes from downtown St. Louis and covering 700 acres, WWTR is the largest outdoor entertainment facility in the area. WWTR’s facilities include a 1.25-mile superspeedway; 1/4-mile drag strip; 2.0-mile road course; the Gateway Kartplex state-of-the-art karting facility; and the adjacent Gateway National Golf Links. WWTR and Owner & CEO Curtis Francois have been recognized with several awards, including: 2023 St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame induction; 2023 Innovation in Philanthropy Award by the St. Louis Business Journal; 2022 Explore St. Louis Hospitality Hero Recognition; 2022 Best in Show and Best Event & Festival from the Illinois Governor’s Conference on Tourism; 2021 Comcast Community Champion of the Year; 2021 Jack Buck Award; 2020 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Track Award; 2018 Innovator Award from the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission; 2017 Outstanding Facility of the Year Award from the Race Track Business Conference; and the 2017 Spirit of St. Louis Award from the St. Louis Attractions Association. Our mission: We are committed to making a difference in our community, while providing first-class entertainment and memories that last a lifetime.
Payton Buschhorn | WWTR Public Relations & Media Manager
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