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Jesse Love 'confused' by fuel issue late in Talladega playoff race

JHby: Jonathan Howard10/18/25Jondean25
Jesse Love Rockingham appeal
Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Despite being on the same pit strategy as the leaders, including his teammate, Jesse Love was running out before everyone else. Austin Hill won the race, but Love had to come to pit road late and settle for a top-10 finish. He lost out on racing for another win in the NASCAR Xfinity Series

The race was going to come down to Austin Hill and Jesse Love. That’s what it felt like all day long. Hill led the laps, but Love was right there, and everyone knew he had a car capable of getting the job done.

For one reason or another, Love ran out of fuel before his teammate. That is confusing, but it won’t shake his faith in his team or his crew chief.

“Obviously, Austin just belt-to-ass’d us. But other than that, you know, I feel like we had a really good day and made the right call,” Love said, via Matt Weaver of Motorsport. “I have a lot of faith in Danny’s pit calls, and I’m definitely shocked. Like, I’m definitely surprised I was running out. I was the first one when the caution came out to start packing the right side full of fuel, at least compared to the 7 and the 21, and the first one to go to the flat, and still I was running out.

“So, definitely confused. Typically, could be something to do with carburetor difference, or maybe just how much we were saving, but I have never saved that much in my life. That car was so fast in the draft. So, definitely surprised and we’ll look at it, but we did a good job today, kind of just managing possible damage.”

Jesse Love loses the race, but is good on points

Jesse Love has won at Talladega before. He was hoping to do it again and lock into Phoenix. Instead, he takes a very comfortable 40-point cushion to Martinsville. But nothing is guaranteed. He still has to finish the race and have enough points to survive if someone from below the cutline ends up winning the race.

Connor Zilisch and Justin Allgaier have locked into Phoenix on points. That is a testament to the season both of those drivers are having this year. Zilisch ended his top-five streak and was actually multiple laps down at the finish. Still, he advances.

A really poor day for Brandon Jones, Sam Mayer, and Sheldon Creed. They got involved in an early wreck and paid for it in the points.

This race could have easily gone Jesse Love’s way. It just didn’t play out that way today. Instead, Austin Hill wins again at a drafting track. That is his 10th win at Daytona/Atlanta/Talladega. He is in a class of his own when it comes to the draft in the Xfinity Series.