A young driver quickly rising through the NASCAR ranks is taking another big step. Jesse Love has set the date for his Cup Series debut.
According to a Friday announcement, the California native will drive the No. 33 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet at Bristol Motor Speedway on Sunday, April 13. He will have C4 Ultimate Energy as his primary sponsor for his first-ever Cup start.
"Racing in the Cup Series has always been my main goal and dream," Love said in a press release. "Everything that I have done up to this point in my career has been building to this moment.
"To make my Cup Series debut at this age is very special, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to make it with RCR. Everyone has welcomed me with open arms over the last year, and the organization feels like family."
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This move to the Cup Series continues Love's meteoric rise up the racing ranks. The one-time Toyota driver won 10 races and the ARCA Menards Series title in 2023 and then jumped up to the Xfinity Series. He switched to Chevrolet and took over the No. 2 Richard Childress Racing entry after Sheldon Creed's departure.
Love quickly made a splash in the Xfinity Series. He won the pole for his first two starts and led 191 laps. He scored his first career win later that season at Talladega Superspeedway and punched his ticket to the playoffs. Love ultimately ended the season eighth in the standings while winning Rookie of the Year.
The 2025 season has featured even more production. Love won the season-opening race at Daytona International Speedway and went on to score another four top-10 finishes. He is currently third in the standings after the opening six races.
Love will be the second RCR Xfinity Series driver to set up a Cup Series start this season. Teammate Austin Hill will control the No. 33 Chevrolet in five Cup Series starts this season while continuing to gain experience.
"I'm excited to have Jesse make his Cup Series debut in the No. 33 Chevrolet," said team owner Richard Childress. "From the moment I started watching Jesse race, I knew that he had the talent.
"He has the passion for wanting to win and doing the best possible for his team. To be a great driver, you have to have passion behind the wheel, and Jesse has that. We've seen him develop over the last year since he joined RCR, and I look forward to helping him compete at the highest level of our sport."