Defending series champion Jesse Love (Richard Childress Racing) won the Nu Way 225 Powered by Bobcat and Sauced by Blues Hog, ending a 25-race winless skid in the second race of the Chase.
How it was won
Polesitter Carson Kvapil (JR Motorsports) dominated early — Stage 1 sweep and a race-high 105 laps led — before a chaotic stage-break pit entry caused a multi-car pileup and red flag. Love won Stage 2, then passed Kvapil with 16 laps to go and held on by 0.896s over Sheldon Creed (Haas Factory Team).
Chase drivers swept the top eight. Creed’s runner-up moved him into the championship lead; Love climbed to fourth in the Chase, about 16 points behind Creed.
Results snapshot
| Pos | Driver | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jesse Love | Stage 2; 70 laps led; MOV 0.896s |
| 2 | Sheldon Creed | New Chase points leader |
| 3 | Sam Mayer | |
| 4 | Taylor Gray | |
| 5 | Carson Kvapil | Pole; Stage 1; 105 laps led |
| 6 | Parker Retzlaff | |
| 7 | Brent Crews | |
| 8 | Sammy Smith |
Race facts: 180 laps / 225 miles on WWTR’s 1.25-mile oval; Chase race No. 2 of nine.
Purse
Individual or total purse not clearly published in the sources reviewed; omitted.
History & significance
Love’s first win since the 2025 Phoenix finale revived his title path and capped a WWTR weekend that also delivered Sunday’s Cup Chase race. The Nu Way 225 remains the Xfinity companion to the Enjoy Illinois 300 on the St. Louis-area oval.
What’s next
Xfinity Chase continues toward the Bristol Motor Speedway weekend (mid-September). Austin’s next major ticketed motorsport weekend at COTA is the October F1 U.S. GP.