NASCAR Cup: Jesse Love to Wood Brothers Racing in 2027

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Wood Brothers Racing named Jesse Love as their driver for the 2027 NASCAR Cup Series season.

Love will replace Josh Berry in the famed No. 21 Ford in 2027. The 21-year-old will move up to one of the most historic rides in NASCAR as a champion of the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series – and a kid with a dream. 

"To realize a dream. Everything I’ve ever done, I’ve done to realize this dream. I’ve always believed that the relentless pursuit of a goal can be accomplished through obsession. With the right people around you, the right mindset, and the determination to wake up every day and pursue it, no mountain is too tall to climb," Love posted on social media. "No part of this has been easy, and no part of it has been done alone. The dream might have been min, but the work was everybody’s. So many people have given me their all throughout this journey and today is for all of them.

"My dad and I carry the same name and we’ve carried the same dream for as long as I can remember. Today, that dream becomes reality. I didn’t work my whole life just to arrive. The journey continues."

The announcement comes a week after Berry announced his departure from the ride at the end of the 2026 season. 

“Jesse has accomplished a lot at a young age,” said Jon Wood, president of Wood Brothers Racing. “He’s demonstrated the ability to win races, compete for championships and handle the expectations that come with racing at a high level. We’re looking forward to giving him the opportunity to take the next step in his career with the No. 21 team.”

In addition to winning a championship, Love has earned three wins in NOAPS competition and sits second in this year's points standings after 17 of 33 races.

Moving up to Cup, Love will have a big task on his hands. The No. 21 team has struggled for speed this season, with Berry sitting outside of the top-25 in the points standings and well outside of any realistic chance at making the Chase. 

Love has seven Cup starts under his belt, including starts at Circuit of the Americas and Talladega Superspeedway this season where he finished 27th in each race. His best finish was 24th in last year's Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Although the stats may not show it, Love has received some key endorsements that he's ready for Cup, including from Denny Hamlin.

"Based on the technique I've seen from him in his starts, I think he's ready," Hamlin said on his podcast, "Actions Detrimental."

Love will be the fourth driver of the No. 21 Ford in the eight seasons since the turn of the decade. Matt DiBenedetto raced for the team in 2020 and 2021 before Harrison Burton took over from 2022 to 2024. Berry joined on for 2025 and 2026 before Love's signing.