MADISON, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 12: Jesse Love, driver of the #2 Whelen Chevrolet, and crew celebrate in victory lane after winning the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Nu Way 225 Powered by Bobcat and Sauced by Blues Hog at WWT Raceway on September 12, 2026 in Madison, Illinois. (Photo by Amy Kontras/Getty Images)
Jesse Love scores his first NASCAR O’Reilly Series victory of 2026 at World Wide Technology Raceway on Saturday in the Nu Way 225.
MADISON, Ill.—In a race that kindled the rivalry between Corey Day and William Sawalich to full flame, Jesse Love showed the form that made him a NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series champion last year.
THE CHASE, DRAMA & DIRT! 🏁 NASCAR Weekend Had Everything! Do you have a burning thought about this weekend of racing? Sound off in the comment section.
Welcome to a special written edition of Hot Topics Sound Off! This week, we’re changing things up a little and taking our NASCAR weekend conversation from the microphone to the page.
If you like your NASCAR weekends with a little bit of everything, this one certainly delivered.
From the opening Chase race of the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at Darlington Raceway to a thrilling photo finish at All American Speedway, a statement-making Cook Out Southern 500 victory, and a return to DuQuoin dirt, there is no shortage of storylines to discuss.
This is THE CHASE, DRAMA, & DIRT! 🏁NASCAR Weekend had Everything! Hot Topics Sound Off!
DARLINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 06: Christopher Bell, driver of the #20 Mobil 1 Toyota, poses with the winner sticker on his car in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on September 06, 2026, in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
Christopher Bell snaps drought with NASCAR Cup Series Crown Jewel victory in Chase opener at Darlington Raceway on Sunday in the Cook Out Southern 500.
DARLINGTON, S.C. – Christopher Bell snapped a 33-race winless streak, claiming his first victory of the year in Sunday night’s Cook Out Southern 500, coming after a record-breaking mark of seven runner-up efforts on the season. And the timing of his trophy hoist could not have been better for the perpetual championship contender.