{"id":45634,"date":"2024-04-20T19:58:37","date_gmt":"2024-04-21T00:58:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/?p=45634"},"modified":"2024-04-20T19:58:37","modified_gmt":"2024-04-21T00:58:37","slug":"love-scores-first-career-win-in-thrilling-overtime-finish-at-talladega","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2024\/04\/20\/love-scores-first-career-win-in-thrilling-overtime-finish-at-talladega\/","title":{"rendered":"Love scores first career win in thrilling overtime finish at Talladega"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Jesse Love, driver of the #2 WAT Chevrolet, celebrates with the checkered flag after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series Ag-Pro 300 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 20, 2024 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by James Gilbert\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

By Holly Cain<\/em><\/p>\n

NASCAR Wire Service<\/em><\/p>\n

TALLADEGA, Ala. \u2013 Jesse Love earned his first career NASCAR Xfinity Series victory Saturday in a typically wild double overtime finish in the Ag-Pro 300 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway \u2013 crossing the line by a slight .141-seconds ahead of Riley Herbst.<\/p>\n

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Jesse Love, driver of the #2 WAT Chevrolet, takes the checkered flag to win the NASCAR Xfinity Series Ag-Pro 300 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 20, 2024 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by James Gilbert\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

It many ways, it was victorious redemption for the 19-year old Californian, who earlier this season was leading the race in overtime at Atlanta only to run out of fuel before the checkered flag. Love\u2019s win in the No. 2 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet makes him only the seventh driver to score his maiden win at the 2.66-mile Talladega Superspeedway.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust a great group of guys [on my team] and it\u2019s been such a journey to get to this point,\u2019\u2019 a grinning Love said before thanking a litany of people that helped him in his young career to date.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had PTSD flashbacks from Atlanta,\u2019\u2019 Love acknowledged, adding \u201cI love Talladega. I love the speedway and I love the fans.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Jesse Love, driver of the #2 WAT Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series Ag-Pro 300 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 20, 2024 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

Love certainly earned this first win \u2013 starting on the outside of the front row next to his veteran RCR teammate Austin Hill, winning his fourth stage of the season (Stage 1) and leading 28 of the 124 laps. He ran top-five for most of the afternoon and when he needed to go on that final restart, he went. Jumping to the lead at the overtime green flag and holding off the field when it mattered most.<\/p>\n

His RCR teammate Hill, the polesitter, led a race-best 42 laps and was out front with two laps remaining in regulation when he was hit from behind by Parker Kligerman. The incident sent Hill\u2019s car into the wall and ultimately collected nine cars, including many that had been running toward the front much of the afternoon – putting the race in overtime.<\/p>\n

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Jesse Love, driver of the #2 WAT Chevrolet, and RCR team owner and NASCAR Hall of Famer, Richard Childress pose for photos in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series Ag-Pro 300 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 20, 2024 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

On the ensuing overtime restart, Kligerman was eliminated in a four-car crash at the front as various cars started running out of gas in the field. Love lined up on the front row for the final restart among eight drivers racing for their career first wins.<\/p>\n

Herbst\u2019s runner-up finish in the Stewart-Haas Racing Ford was his best showing of the year. Our Motorsports Anthony Alfredo finished third, followed by Young\u2019s Motorsports rookie Leland Honeyman and Alpha Prime Racing\u2019s Brennan Poole. Alfredo tied his career best mark and Honeyman had a career best finish.<\/p>\n

Joe Gibbs Racing\u2019s Sheldon Creed, Alpha Prime Racing\u2019s Caesar Bacarella, Viking Motorsports\u2019s Matt DiBenedetto, 2023 Talladega winner, Jordan Anderson Racing\u2019s Jeb Burton and Stewart-Haas Racing\u2019s Cole Custer rounded out the top 10.<\/p>\n

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Jesse Love, driver of the #2 WAT Chevrolet, leads the field as Joey Gase, driver of the #35 Fireside RV Rental Chevrolet, spin into the infield grass after an on-track incident during the NASCAR Xfinity Series Ag-Pro 300 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 20, 2024 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

There were 34 lead changes among 16 drivers in a typically Talladega afternoon.<\/p>\n

Ryan Sieg, who lost to Sam Mayer last week at Texas Motor Speedway in a photo finish \u2013 by .002-seconds \u2013 won the Dash 4 Cash $100,000 bonus. <\/p>\n

An 11-car accident on Lap 65 proved critical to several race frontrunners as well as Dash 4 Cash eligible drivers.<\/p>\n

Herbst hit Justin Allgaier\u2019s No. 7 JR Motorsports Chevy with only two laps left in the opening stage \u2013 both vying for a top 10 and some early stage points. It eliminated Allgaier from contention. Mayer was eliminated in a later multi-car crash and that left an intriguing battle between Sieg, who had to make a green flag late race pit stop because of a flat tire and A.J. Allmendinger, whose car was damaged in a crash.<\/p>\n

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Austin Hill, driver of the #21 Bennett Transportation Chevrolet, Cole Custer, driver of the #00 Haas Automation Ford, and Ryan Sieg, driver of the #39 Sci Aps Ford, race during the NASCAR Xfinity Series Ag-Pro 300 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 20, 2024 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by James Gilbert\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

Sieg and Allmendinger lined up 19th and 20th \u2013 respectively – on the second overtime re-start and Sieg was able to pull away, finishing 17th with Allmendinger 19th.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is huge for our team,\u2019\u2019 Sieg said. \u201cIt was a rough one. I thought I threw it away, but were lucky enough to get the caution at the end and come back and beat the 16. So it all worked out and is pretty extraordinary for our small team.\u201d<\/p>\n

Not only does he win the Dash 4 Cash paycheck, but Sieg will compete against Love, Herbst and Alfredo next week at Dover, Del. for the final race of the incentive program.<\/p>\n

Joe Gibbs Racing\u2019s Chandler Smith, who finished 25th, still holds a 14-point lead over Custer atop the championship standings.<\/p>\n

The NASCAR Xfinity Series moves to the one-mile Dover (Del.) Motor Speedway next week for Saturday\u2019s BetRivers 200 (1:30 p.m. ET, FS1, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). Ryan Truex is the defending race winner.<\/p>\n

Interviews:<\/h3>\n

NXS Race Winner – Jesse Love (driver, No. 2 RCR Chevrolet)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Talladega Dash 4 Cash winner – Ryan Sieg (driver, No. 39 Ryan Sieg Racing Ford)<\/p>\nhttp:\/\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/R050006RyanSieg042024MP3.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

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NASCAR Xfinity Series Race – Ag-Pro 300<\/b><\/p>\n

Talladega Superspeedway<\/b><\/p>\n

Talladega, Alabama<\/b><\/p>\n

Saturday, April 20, 2024<\/b><\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    1. (2)  Jesse Love #, Chevrolet, 124.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    2. (8)  Riley Herbst, Ford, 124.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    3. (11)  Anthony Alfredo, Chevrolet, 124.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    4. (33)  Leland Honeyman #, Chevrolet, 124.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    5. (27)  Brennan Poole, Chevrolet, 124.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    6. (10)  Sheldon Creed, Toyota, 124.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    7. (29)  Caesar Bacarella, Chevrolet, 124.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    8. (28)  Matt DiBenedetto, Ford, 124.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    9. (35)  Jeb Burton, Chevrolet, 124.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    10. (4)  Cole Custer, Ford, 124.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    11. (38)  Mason Massey(i), Chevrolet, 124.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    12. (31)  Hailie Deegan #, Ford, 124.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    13. (25)  Kyle Sieg, Ford, 124.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    14. (1)  Austin Hill, Chevrolet, 124.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    15. (13)  Taylor Gray(i), Toyota, 124.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    16. (36)  Josh Bilicki, Chevrolet, 124.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    17. (24)  Ryan Sieg, Ford, 124.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    18. (17)  Joey Gase, Chevrolet, 124.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    19. (14)  AJ Allmendinger, Chevrolet, 124.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    20. (9)  Josh Williams, Chevrolet, 124.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    21. (5)  Sammy Smith, Chevrolet, 124.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    22. (18)  Shane Van Gisbergen #, Chevrolet, 124.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    23. (26)  Blaine Perkins, Ford, 123.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    24. (19)  David Starr, Chevrolet, 123.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    25. (7)  Chandler Smith, Toyota, 123.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    26. (37)  Ryan Ellis, Chevrolet, 123.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    27. (20)  Kyle Weatherman, Chevrolet, DVP, 120.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    28. (30)  Dawson Cram #, Chevrolet, 120.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    29. (3)  Parker Kligerman, Chevrolet, Accident, 117.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    30. (21)  Parker Retzlaff, Chevrolet, Ignition, 113.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    31. (32)  Jordan Anderson, Chevrolet, Accident, 111.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    32. (12)  Patrick Emerling, Chevrolet, Accident, 111.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    33. (23)  Brandon Jones, Chevrolet, Accident, 65.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    34. (6)  Ryan Truex, Toyota, Accident, 65.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    35. (22)  Jeremy Clements, Chevrolet, Accident, 65.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    36. (15)  Sam Mayer, Chevrolet, Accident, 65.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    37. (34)  Jeffrey Earnhardt, Toyota, Engine, 46.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    38. (16)  Justin Allgaier, Chevrolet, Accident, 24.<\/p>\n

Average Speed of Race Winner:  131.323 mph.<\/p>\n

Time of Race:  2 Hrs, 30 Mins, 42 Secs. Margin of Victory:  0.141 Seconds.<\/p>\n

Caution Flags:  6 for 28 laps.<\/p>\n

Lead Changes:  34 among 16 drivers.<\/p>\n

Lap Leaders:   A. Hill 1-23;J. Love # 24-26;M. DiBenedetto 27;J. Love # 28-30;A. Hill 31-33;C. Custer 34-36;R. Sieg 37-42;C. Smith 43;R. Truex 44;C. Smith 45-46;A. Hill 47-51;J. Anderson 52;J. Love # 53-56;B. Jones 57-60;R. Sieg 61;S. Smith 62;S. Van Gisbergen # 63;S. Smith 64;A. Hill 65-68;D. Starr 69;A. Hill 70-72;R. Herbst 73-81;A. Hill 82-83;R. Herbst 84-86;P. Kligerman 87-88;R. Herbst 89;P. Kligerman 90;A. Alfredo 91-96;P. Kligerman 97;C. Custer 98;T. Gray(i) 99;J. Love # 100-110;A. Hill 111;P. Kligerman 112-117;J. Love # 118-124.<\/p>\n

Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led):  Austin Hill 7 times for 41 laps; Jesse Love # 5 times for 28 laps; Riley Herbst 3 times for 13 laps; Parker Kligerman 4 times for 10 laps; Ryan Sieg 2 times for 7 laps; Anthony Alfredo 1 time for 6 laps; Cole Custer 2 times for 4 laps; Brandon Jones 1 time for 4 laps; Chandler Smith 2 times for 3 laps; Sammy Smith 2 times for 2 laps; Shane Van Gisbergen # 1 time for 1 lap; Taylor Gray(i) 1 time for 1 lap; Ryan Truex 1 time for 1 lap; David Starr 1 time for 1 lap; Jordan Anderson 1 time for 1 lap; Matt DiBenedetto 1 time for 1 lap.<\/p>\n

Stage #1 Top Ten: 2,48,21,81,16,20,97,9,98,00<\/p>\n

Stage #2 Top Ten: 21,2,16,39,9,81,48,98,27,00<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  By Holly Cain NASCAR Wire Service TALLADEGA, Ala. \u2013 Jesse Love earned his first career NASCAR Xfinity Series victory Saturday in a typically wild double overtime finish in the Ag-Pro 300 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway \u2013 crossing the line by a slight .141-seconds ahead of Riley Herbst. It many ways, it was victorious redemption […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":676,"featured_media":45644,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[11],"tags":[912,16,181,208],"class_list":["post-45634","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nascar","tag-jesse-love","tag-nascar","tag-nascar-xfinity-series","tag-talladega-superspeedway"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/GettyImages-2149445043-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1751&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7hzTZ-bS2","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45634","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/676"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=45634"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45634\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":45650,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45634\/revisions\/45650"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/45644"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=45634"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=45634"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=45634"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}