Jesse Love to join Wood Brothers in 2027
It is finally official: Jesse Love is making the jump to the big leagues. Starting in 2027, the 21-year-old will take the wheel of the iconic No. 21 Ford for Wood Brothers Racing, stepping into a machine that carries the history of legends like David Pearson and A.J. Foyt.
Love, the reigning 2025 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series champion, has certainly earned his stripes. He is moving over from Richard Childress Racing—where he secured the Rookie of the Year title in 2024 and his championship run—to join a Wood Brothers team bolstered by its alliance with Team Penske. While he currently holds seven Cup Series starts under his belt, the full-time move marks the realization of a goal he has chased since he was 5 years old.
He faces the pressure of replacing Josh Berry in that famous seat, but the confidence from the top is clear. As Jon Wood, president of Wood Brothers Racing, noted, the young Californian has already proven he can handle high-level expectations. It is a stunning opportunity for a driver who has been collecting championships since he was 16. Now, he faces the ultimate test of competing at the highest level of NASCAR.
