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Richard Childress Continues to Strengthen Core For 2024 After Snagging Crew Chief From Truck Series Driver

Published 10/28/2023, 7:20 AM EDT

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At just 18, the dynamo behind the No. 20 Toyota in the ARCA Menards Series is turning heads, especially those of industry heavyweights like Richard Childress. The young prodigy practically owned the 2023 ARCA Menards Series season, clinching victories in a staggering 10 out of 20 races. He also clinched the ARCA West champion title not once but twice, in 2020 and 2021, making him the youngest champion in NASCAR history. Dipping his toes into the NASCAR Truck Series, he secured ninth place on debut at Gateway and a commendable 13th at Kansas.

Such impressive feats didn’t escape Richard Childress’s keen eye, who handpicked him to take over the reins of the No. 2 RCR Chevrolet for the 2024 season, succeeding Sheldon Creed. But that’s not all! While Whelen Engineering will remain a loyal sponsor for the #2 Chevy, whispers in the pit suggest another addition to the team, ensuring that the ARCA superstar has everything he needs to make a grand debut.

The No. 2 RCR car will have a fresh face and a familiar hand on deck

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Typically, a racer’s trajectory involves burning rubber in the Sprint or ARCA series, making a name in the NASCAR Truck Series, and then shifting gears to the elite Xfinity cars before eyeing the Cup Series pinnacle. But why walk when you can leap? The ARCA Menards Series West victor, with only a pair of Truck Series races under his belt, is leaping into the limelight as a full-time Xfinity Series driver.

Hot on the heels of Richard Childress Racing‘s announcement about the prodigious Jesse Love joining their NASCAR Xfinity Series ranks, another bombshell dropped. Crew chief Danny stockworker, with a whopping 457 starts across NASCAR’s top three national tours and two championship crowns to his name, will steer the ship of the No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet.

Stockman is no stranger to RCR, having worked with them from 2010 to 2019, before taking a brief detour with Kyle Busch Motorsports in 2020. He’s been the guiding force behind NASCAR Truck Series rookie Nick Sanchez this season, and although they’re yet to clinch a win, they’ve consistently been a force to be reckoned with. However, Stockman’s golden touch was evident when he led Austin Dillon to victory in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2011 and 2013, respectively.

Welcoming him back, Danny Lawrence, RCR’s managing director of team alliances and Xfinity operations, shared, “Danny Stockman is a racer’s racer and fits right in with Richard Childress Racing, so we are excited to welcome him back to our NASCAR Xfinity Series program. His work ethic is second to none, and we know that he will do a great job in guiding Jesse Love through his first season of NASCAR Xfinity Series competition and be an asset to our entire organization.”

However, with Love’s prior racing engagements solely being with Toyota, Stockman’s seasoned insights will play a crucial role in ensuring a seamless transition and a promising future for this rising star.

Watch This Story: Rising Star Jesse Love the New Face of Richard Childress Racing

Can Danny Stockman steer Jesse Love to success in uncharted waters?

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Jesse Love is all set to transition from Toyota to Chevrolet. The young racer he has made a significant mark despite his brief NASCAR national series experience. His performance trajectory in the last four seasons is nothing short of a meteoric rise, turning heads and setting tracks ablaze.

While he only went full-throttle in the ARCA Menards Series in 2023, he wasn’t a stranger to the winner’s podium, having tasted victory as a part-timer in both 2021 and 2022. His 2023 campaign? Pure gold. With an astounding ten wins and a consistent track record of top-four finishes in 20 starts, Jesse’s dominance was evident.

Enter Danny Stockman, the seasoned guide. With next-gen cars leveling the playing field in terms of speed and features, Stockman’s expertise could be the catalyst for Love to master the mechanics of a new manufacturer seamlessly.

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While the racing world eagerly watches, Love’s performance in the Xfinity Series might just set the stage for a bigger leap. If the stars align, we could see him taking the wheel for Richard Childress Racing’s Cup Series. And who knows? Someday he might even fill the shoes of the iconic Kyle Busch when the legend decides to pass the baton.

Read More: BREAKING News: Richard Childress Racing Announces 2023 ARCA Champ as Sheldon Creed’s Replacement

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Written by:

Neha Dwivedi

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Neha Dwivedi is a NASCAR Author at EssentiallySports. Using her gravitation towards the mechanical side of racing, paired with her affinity for writing, she easily brings out some of the most technical aspects of the sport in her pieces, which the readers find quite interesting. Her ability to capture the spirit of the exhilarating races and relay the enthusiasm to her audience distinguishes her as a sports journalist.
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Edited by:

Ariva Debnath