Reigning NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Champion Jesse Love will be paying tribute to America’s fallen firefighters when he takes on the Blue Cross NC 300 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
On Saturday, October 10, Love will drive Richard Childress Racing’s No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet adorned with names of 204 firefighters who died in the line of duty.
The special paint scheme, featuring the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) logo, honors the Fire Heroes officially added to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Emmitsburg, Maryland, earlier this year.
The car will be on display at Charlotte Fire Department Station No. 1 prior to the race. Love also plans to meet with families of the fallen firefighters attending the Blue Cross NC 300.
“It is an absolute honor to once again partner with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation through Whelen to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice,” Jesse Love said. “I have been fortunate to meet with these families the last few years and their stories are incredibly moving, giving me a newfound perspective. I can only hope that I will do them proud on race weekend.”
Whelen and Richard Childress Racing revealed this year’s design in April at the annual FDIC International fire-service conference in Indianapolis. The unveiling coincided with the Whelen Challenge, in which Whelen pledged to match donations to the NFFF up to $50,000.
This marks the fifth consecutive season the NFFF has partnered with Whelen Engineering, Whelen Motorsports and Richard Childress Racing to honor the sacrifices of firefighters and their families. The 2026 No. 2 tribute car will also be produced as a die-cast benefiting the NFFF.
“Each name represents a firefighter who answered the call, a family carrying unimaginable loss, and a department grieving one of their own,” said Victor Stagnaro, CEO of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. “It means the world for Jesse Love to ensure fans across the country see those names on one of racing’s great stages. We are grateful to Jesse, Whelen Engineering and Richard Childress Racing for standing with our Fire Hero Families for a fifth year, once again showing why they’re champions on and off the track.”
“Our connection to the fire service has been part of who Whelen is for nearly 75 years, and honoring those who have made the ultimate sacrifice is a responsibility we take to heart,” said Geoff Marsh, CEO of Whelen Engineering. “For five years, we’ve been proud to join the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and Richard Childress Racing in bringing these heroes’ names to the racetrack. This car is a tribute to their service, their sacrifice, and the families and departments who continue to carry their legacies.”
Created by Congress, the NFFF leads the effort to remember America’s fallen firefighters, support their families and colleagues, and work to reduce line-of-duty deaths and injuries.
Each year in early May, flags across the country are lowered to half-staff as the Foundation holds a nationwide remembrance and adds the names of firefighters who died in the line of duty to the National Memorial.
— Martin Group Marketing —