Jesse Love Claims First Win of 2026 NASCAR O'Reilly Series at Gateway

Jesse Love, the defending champion of the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series, achieved his first win of the 2026 season on Saturday at Gateway, returning to victory lane after a 25-race gap.

Love took the lead with 16 laps remaining by overtaking Carson Kvapil and successfully held off Sheldon Creed, who finished in second place. This victory marks the fourth of Love's career in the series.

Currently, Love is positioned fourth in the standings, trailing Creed by 16 points as he aims for a second championship title. Creed's runner-up finish allows him to maintain the points lead, marking a shift from Justin Allgaier, who previously held the top spot. Allgaier faced challenges during the race, finishing 13th after sustaining damage from a collision.