Jesse Love Wins Phoenix, Takes Over Points Lead

Jesse Love won the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Phoenix Raceway on Saturday, his second win of the 2026 season. He fended off Sam Mayer in the closing laps to vault himself into first place in the standings. Mayer was close enough to throw a desperate final pass attempt at Love in the final corners, but not close enough to get to Love’s rear bumper.

At the start of the night, Jesse Love was two points behind Sheldon Creed for the Chase lead. Once the race ended, Love found himself 36 points ahead of second-place Justin Allgaier. More than any time so far this season, Love seems to have a solid chance at winning his second straight championship.

Issues for Chase Contenders

Sheldon Creed entered Saturday with the points lead, but did not leave with it. Shortly after the end of Stage 1, Creed’s No. 00 Haas Factory Team Chevrolet lost power causing a lengthy pit stop for repairs. Creed emerged several laps down with his points lead long gone. At the drop of the checkered flag, Creed was fourth in the standings and 59 points behind.

Both of the night’s went to Jesse Love, who inherited the points lead from Creed with a much-needed victory. Justin Allgaier, the longtime favorite for the 2026 title, finished third to ascend to ascend in the standings. Still, Love’s win caused Allgaier to drop from 15 points out of the lead to 36.

A caution came out for rain on Lap 23, leading several teams to pit for rain tires. Brandon Jones, Nick Sanchez, and Ryan Sieg were among those who swapped out their tires in a strategic gamble. Sheldon Creed inherited the lead on the ensuing restart, holding onto it until the end of Stage 1.

On Lap 101 a three car-incident took another Chase driver out of contention. Taylor Gray was collected when the two Alpha Prime Racing cars of Lavar Scott and Brennan Poole came together. Gray finished 28th, one lap off the pace.

Day and Kvapil Lose Ground

Two-time defending race winner Corey Day entered Saturday seven points out of the lead in third. He maintained that place in the standings but exited Phoenix with a 39-point deficit. Day finished fourth, rebounding from a hard impact with the wall on Lap 33.

Breakout JR Motorsports driver Carson Kvapil finished tenth, his car seemingly not fast enough to maintain pace with his championship rivals. Having come into Phoenix 40 points removed from the lead, Kvapil dropped to 79 points out. Barring an unprecedented turnaround, the 23-year-old faces long odds in the 2026 Chase.

Race Results