In a unique convergence of motorsports and gaming history, Jesse Love is set to become the second NASCAR Cup Series driver born after the release of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas in 2004, making his debut before the anticipated launch of GTA VI.
The 19-year-old driver from Menlo Park, California, is scheduled to make his NASCAR Cup Series debut on April 13, 2025, at the Food City 500 held at Bristol Motor Speedway. Love will be driving the No. 33 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing. His preparation for this significant milestone included extensive simulator training, completing over 2,000 virtual laps to familiarize himself with the challenging Bristol track.
Love’s entry into the Cup Series follows closely on the heels of Connor Zilisch, who, at 18 years old, made his debut on March 2, 2025, at the Circuit of the Americas. Zilisch, driving for Trackhouse Racing, became the first driver younger than GTA: San Andreas to compete in the Cup Series.
The juxtaposition of these young drivers’ careers with the timeline of the Grand Theft Auto franchise highlights the evolving landscape of NASCAR, where emerging talents are making their mark even before the release of long-anticipated cultural phenomena like GTA VI.
As Love takes to the track, fans and analysts alike will be watching to see how this new generation of drivers shapes the future of NASCAR.
