A friendship that is as wholesome as it is hilarious? Definitely a rare occurrence in the motorsports world. From dessert digs and concert reenactments to naptime roasts and poster remakes, you get what this is about between the two friends who first crossed paths at the Trackhouse Motorplex during their karting days. They now find themselves in one of NASCAR’s top tiers. But racing is a competitive sport, and despite their close friendship, the nature of NASCAR occasionally tests their relationship. And if anything, 2025 is a tall proof of that.

“We like the same music, talk about the same things, have the same sense of humor, and like the same food.” That’s what Richard Childress Racing’s driver Jesse Love said about his friendship with superstar Connor Zilisch, and the rest is history. At the Trackhouse Motorplex, young Jesse Love, then a Toyota Racing Development car driver, was learning the ropes of karting. Initially, Love politely ignored Zilisch’s pointers. That changed once Zilisch jumped into a car himself, blazing laps and leaving an impression. Who knew that the 19-year-old would only assert his dominance further?

Speaking on NASCAR Live, Jesse Love was candid as ever and acknowledged the truth behind getting beaten by the young JR Motorsports phenom: “Yeah, I’d say it’s, it definitely stings more when he beats you because you have to hear about it throughout the week. But when you’re on the racetrack, you know, you don’t really think about it a whole lot. There is maybe a little bit of wanting to almost, you know, beat him more because he’s your friend. But, and I feel like we’re on the racetrack. We don’t necessarily race each other like, like friends. “

The Richard Childress Racing driver insists that it is healthy competition: “Yeah, obviously would never wish, you know, anything bad on your friend. Wouldn’t perform well or would have, you know, bad luck or, or whatever, or have no speed, right? So there’s definitely a balance there, right? But at the same time, I’m really happy for Connor. But right now he has what I want, and I’m very motivated to, you know, go and take that.”

And who wouldn’t want what Zilisch already has, though? He starts the Round of 12 with a four-race winning streak and 59 points above the playoff cut line, along with the regular season championship title, while Jesse Love, who claimed victory in the season opener at Daytona, enters eight points ahead. It is no secret that Zilisch has done exceptionally well this season with 17 Top-10s, 15 Top-5s, 7 poles, and 750 laps led across 25 races; all while battling back issues and a collarbone injury. Though this is the first time they will compete against each other for championship hardware in the NASCAR National Series, Love admits to feeling a sting whenever his friend outdoes him in a race.

Moreover, the two drivers have finished inside the top five together five times this season, including a notable P1-2 finish at Pocono Raceway in June. But amidst all this, Love has his eyes set on something bigger. Beginning his racing career at five years old in quarter midget, Love moved to the NASCAR Xfinity Series with Richard Childress Racing to drive the No. 2 Chevrolet on a full-time basis in 2024, finishing eighth in the championship standings and winning Rookie of the Year honors. Now sitting fourth in the playoff standings, Love is proving that steady hands and smart decisions can outpace flashy headlines.

But as the NASCAR Xfinity Series playoffs roar into the homestretch, Jesse Love is quietly making noise, and he is not here to be polite. While fans are buzzing about newcomers like Connor Zilisch and veteran Justin Allgaier of JR Motorsports, Love is methodically turning consistency into a weapon. And his 18 Top-10s, 8 Top-5s with 216 laps led through 26 races are proof enough.

Even veteran crew chief Danny Stockman Jr., guiding the No. 2 RCR car, believes that Love is peaking at the right time. He is not just surviving the playoff shuffle; he is hunting, and anyone watching would do well to keep an eye on this calculated, fearless contender as the Xfinity Series title fight reaches its final laps. But Connor Zilisch believes that this hunt will not tarnish their long-standing friendship.

Connor Zilisch is confident that the playoffs won’t affect his bond with Jesse Love

Their entertaining dynamic is set to follow them in the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series playoffs, kicking off Friday at Bristol Motor Speedway, where both drivers will chase championship glory. But as best friends eyeing the same thing, there is bound to be some sort of friction on track; however, Connor Zilisch is certain that whatever happens on track will not affect their friendship off it.

On the Xfinity Series Playoffs Media Day, the No. 88 driver made his stance clear: “I don’t think the playoffs really will change too much. I obviously hope that we don’t have any run-ins, and we’re not battling for a transfer spot into the playoffs or anything like that. And that could create some tension, but we don’t let what happens on the track affect our relationship and friendship off the track. It’s easy to forget sometimes, but it’s important for us to have each other to lean on off the track and have that friendship, but not let it get in the way of what we’re doing on the track.”

Motivation is running high; Zilisch has a chance to cap off an adventure season with an Xfinity title before moving full-time to the Cup Series next year, while Love aims not only for the championship but to claim it against a friend who has pushed him all season. But one thing is certain: these two will make every weekend count in their next adventure.