In major midseason news, the renowned Wood Brothers Racing team announced this week that reigning NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series champion Jesse Love will join the team in 2027 as the fulltime driver, succeeding the team’s current driver Josh Berry in the No. 21 Ford.
The famed Wood Brothers team has held a longtime alliance with the powerhouse multi-car Penske Racing team and Berry earned the team’s 101st victory last year at Las Vegas. The team’s driver roster has included racing Hall of Famers from A.J. Foyt to Cale Yarborough, from David Pearson to Bill Elliott.
The 21-year-old Californian Love comes to the new job fresh off the 2025 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series championship year. He’s currently second in the series’ title run now, driving the No. 2 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet.
“Driving the No. 21 for Wood Brothers Racing is truly an honor,” said Love, who has made seven NASCAR Cup Series starts with a best finish of 24th driving for Beard Motorsports at Indianapolis last season.
“This team has played such an important role in NASCAR history, and the drivers who have sat behind the wheel of this car are some of the greatest our sport has ever seen.
“I’m incredibly grateful to everyone at Wood Brothers Racing, Team Penske and Ford Racing for believing in me – I’m excited to get to work, continue learning from the people around me and compete at the highest level.”