Jesse Love’s 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series season came full circle Saturday night in the Arizona desert.

After opening the year with a victory at Daytona, the 20-year-old from California closed it with the most important win of his career, capturing the NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway. Love delivered when it mattered most, outdueling close friend Connor Zilisch and fending off veteran Aric Almirola to secure the title under the lights.

Love took control of the race by passing Zilisch with 24 laps remaining at the one-mile oval. Eight laps later, Almirola powered past Zilisch as well, setting up a tense finish that saw Love defend the lead to the checkered flag by 0.861 seconds.

When the race ended, emotion poured out of the No. 2 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet. Love climbed from the car as smoke from celebratory donuts lingered in the air, then immediately embraced his father, Duke, in a moment that defined the significance of the night. Love wrapped up the season with two wins, nine top-five finishes, 22 top-10s and four poles.

“I just feel clean and relieved,” Love said. “This year has been really tough, and I’ve put everything into it. My dad, Scott Speed, and the entire No. 2 team worked just as hard for this dream as I did.

“It still doesn’t feel real,” he added. “There are so many emotions right now.”

The championship battle carried an added layer of intensity given Love’s relationship with Zilisch, who entered Phoenix as the season’s winningest driver with 10 victories.

“He’s my best friend in the world, just not when we’re racing,” Love said. “We race hard but fair. He had a great night, but our car was just better.”

Almirola finished second and was nearly as emotional after clinching the NASCAR Xfinity Series Owners Championship for Joe Gibbs Racing. The former full-time NASCAR Cup Series driver competed part-time in 2025 but played a major role in the title run, earning three wins and 11 top-10 finishes in 17 starts behind the wheel of the No. 19 Toyota.

“This is really special,” Almirola said. “I’ve never won a championship before. It’s not about me, but I was part of it, and I’m incredibly proud of everyone at Joe Gibbs Racing.”

Zilisch settled for third but capped off a historic rookie campaign by earning NASCAR Xfinity Series Rookie of the Year honors. Despite the accolade, the disappointment was evident immediately after the race.

“There’s nothing to hang our heads about,” Zilisch said. “We gave everything we had. We had an unbelievable season. This one just hurts.”

Zilisch’s 2025 numbers were staggering, including 10 wins, 18 consecutive top-five finishes, 19 top fives, and 20 top-10s, making him the most successful rookie in series history.

“I left my heart out on the track,” he said, adding later, “I’m happy for Jesse. He works incredibly hard. But I came here to win, and it still stings.”

The remaining Championship 4 drivers endured mixed nights. JR Motorsports’ Justin Allgaier, the defending series champion, finished fifth despite leading a race-high 83 of 200 laps and winning a stage. A late pit stop shuffled him out of contention, and he was never able to recover. Teammate Carson Kvapil finished 13th.

“He did everything right,” Allgaier said. “They rose to the occasion, and we didn’t.”

Pole-sitter Brandon Jones finished fourth in the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota. Taylor Gray crossed the line seventh after winning Stage 1, followed by Sheldon Creed, Austin Hill, and Justin Bonsignore to complete the top 10.

For Love, the championship was more than just a trophy. It was validation, closure, and the perfect ending to a season that began with promise and ended with history.