The NASCAR Xfinity Series saw a new rivalry emerge at the Focused Health 250 at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. Sheldon Creed, a Richard Childress Racing teammate, and Jesse Love, fought on the track.
Creed’s confrontation with Love became a hot topic, perhaps even overshadowing Connor Zilisch winning the race. Sheldon Creed responded to a Jesse Love contact by pushing Love into the gravel trap. This early-season collision will likely be a recurring issue throughout the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2025.
NASCAR: All the information you need about COTA this weekend
COTA is known for its technical corners and elevation changes. This was the setting for this fierce rivalry. Focused Health 250 was the third race in the NASCAR Xfinity Series 2025. This amplified competitiveness. Sheldon Creed’s and Jesse Love’s composure was generally the same in the past but it changed drastically during the race.
In the lead-up to COTA, 2025 has created an intriguing narrative. Richard Childress Racing showed its strengths in the first races. Jesse Love won the Daytona International Speedway race opener and Austin Hill claimed victory at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Jesse Love in the Chevrolet Camaro No. 2 entered his rookie season with considerable momentum after winning Daytona. After his Daytona victory, Jesse Love entered his rookie year with considerable momentum. Sheldon Creed is a veteran driver of the Xfinity Series who has yet to win his first race. After the race, Creed’s visible frustration with COTA became evident.
Richard Childress wins pole for Atlanta Xfinity
Creed expressed his frustration and anger on social media after he finished 12th following an incident. The tension was evident between Love and Creed, despite Love’s sixth place finish.
Love’s response to Creed on social media was a simple one: “Scoreboard, buddy.”
Sheldon Creed’s rivalry with Jesse Love will add a new dimension to the NASCAR Xfinity Series 2025 season. Richard Childress Racing’s internal dynamics will be monitored closely as the season advances. The management of a heated competition between the two team drivers may present challenges to maintaining harmony within the team, but could create exciting races while raising questions regarding team orders.
Sheldon Creed, who currently holds fourth place in the playoff standings behind Jesse Love, is also under immense pressure to continue his high-level performance.