{"id":150687,"date":"2025-11-24T05:30:18","date_gmt":"2025-11-24T05:30:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/150687\/"},"modified":"2025-11-24T05:30:18","modified_gmt":"2025-11-24T05:30:18","slug":"nascar-xfinity-champion-jesse-love-reacts-to-first-supercars-laps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/150687\/","title":{"rendered":"NASCAR Xfinity champion Jesse Love reacts to first Supercars laps"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"NASCAR
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJesse Love on track at Mallala in an Image Racing Holden ZB Commodore. Image: Speedcafe<\/p>\n

The Californian will make a one-off start in the Supercars second-tier this weekend with Terry Wyhoon\u2019s Image Racing squad<\/a>.<\/p>\n

He arrived in Australia on Sunday evening and is today testing the ZB Commodore for the first time at Mallala Motorsport Park.<\/p>\n

As of lunch time he\u2019d completed a number of familiarisation runs in the Gen2 machine using an earlier effort from Jordan Boys as a reference.<\/p>\n

Speaking to Speedcafe, Love admitted the early running was a steep learning curve.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s probably the most physical car I\u2019ve ever driven, and I come from midgets and Sprintcars which are pretty physical as well,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s pretty nuts just how technical everything is. Jordan has given me a really good reference to go off of.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s kind of weird getting used to the right foot brake; it\u2019s pretty weird getting used to a lot of things, really.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I feel like I should be able to figure it out by the end of the day. It\u2019s definitely unlike anything I\u2019ve ever driven.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Jesse Love\u2019s Image Racing Commodore at Mallala. Image: Speedcafe<\/p>\n

Expanding on the differences between his Richard Childress Racing Chevy and the Commodore, Love said both power and power delivery were most eye-opening.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the lack of ability to get the throttle down when the car is still turning,\u201d he said. \u201cYou really have to get it squared up before you crack the whip.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd the power as well. It feels like I have way more horsepower in this car than I do my Xfinity car.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re just a lot more crazy than an Xfinity car, and obviously the braking potential is unreal.\u201d<\/p>\n

Like Austin Cindric in his Gen3 cameo, Love has committed to the art of right foot braking rather than the comfort of using his left foot like he does in the US.<\/p>\n

\u201cI told myself, if I don\u2019t try the left foot at all, then I won\u2019t be tempted to do it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo I haven\u2019t even tried doing left foot, I\u2019ve just been committed to the right foot deal, which has saved me a couple times out there with some rear locking. I don\u2019t plan on changing at all.\u201d<\/p>\n

Love is also keenly aware that the low-key Mallala outing is a very different challenge to what awaits on the streets of Adelaide in a few days.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe if I get a little closer to Jordan I\u2019ll feel better about it, but man, I just know [Adelaide] is going to be really hard,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m looking forward to learning a lot. I know how good all these guys are out here.<\/p>\n

\u201cI mean, we\u2019ve had to race against Shane [van Gisbergen] for the last two years. So I feel like I\u2019m a little bit bringing a knife to a gunfight.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut regardless I\u2019m just having a good time being here in Australia. I\u2019ve never been here before, so it\u2019s fun trying new snacks for the first time, new drinks for the first time.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am looking forward to the race weekend. If I\u2019m competitive I\u2019ll have a really good time. And if not, then I probably won\u2019t have a great time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Xfinity Series champion Jesse Love at Mallala. Image: Speedcafe<\/p>\n

Get the latest NASCAR news, stats and betting insights at MotorRacing.com<\/a><\/p>\n


\"\"
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