Social media moves fast in NASCAR, and sometimes the truth gets lost in the noise. That’s exactly what happened this week when Brent Crews announced his new Truck Series team, igniting a firestorm of confusion about two Chevrolet drivers supposedly joining a Toyota operation.
The chaos started when fans spotted something unusual in Crews’ team announcement. Connor Zilisch and Jesse Love were listed as “executives” of the new Toyota-backed Truck Series operation. For NASCAR insiders, this made no sense, as both drivers are locked into Chevrolet deals, with Zilisch wheeling for JR Motorsports in the Xfinity Series and Love driving for Richard Childress Racing.
How Did Jesse Love and Connor Zilisch Get Dragged Into This Mess?
What should have been a celebration of Crews’ ambitious new venture quickly turned into industry-wide head-scratching. Fans flooded social media with questions about how two rising Chevy stars could suddenly be working with a Toyota team. The speculation grew so intense that both drivers had to jump online to set the record straight.
Zilisch moved quickly to kill the rumors. He admitted, “There was a misunderstanding in conversations with Brent’s new truck team and me being an executive. I’m excited to cheer him on as a friend next weekend at Watkins and I’m pumped to go for 4 in a row this weekend in Iowa with JRM, Chevy, and Trackhouse!”
The JR Motorsports driver made it clear he’d be supporting Crews as a friend, nothing more. His loyalty remains firmly planted with his current Chevrolet program, where he’s been building serious momentum in the Xfinity Series.
Love followed with his own clarification, making sure there was zero doubt about his position. Love said, “There was a misunderstanding in conversations talking with Brent about me and Connor’s involvement with his new truck team at WGI. We all share a strong friendship. But I just wanted to be clear I’m not associated with any team outside of RCR or Chevy.”
There was a misunderstanding in conversations talking with Brent about me and Connor’s involvement with his new truck team at WGI. We all share a strong friendship. But I just wanted to be clear I’m not associated with any team outside of RCR or Chevy. https://t.co/fbO6ufhQNL
— jesse love jr (@jesselovejr1) August 1, 2025
What started as playful banter between buddies became a full-blown industry controversy that required immediate damage control.
For Love especially, the quick clarification was crucial. The 20-year-old Richard Childress Racing driver sits fourth in the Xfinity Series standings and represents one of Chevrolet’s brightest young prospects. He’s having a career-defining 2025 season and remains a strong contender for the Xfinity Series championship.
Chevrolet has invested heavily in Love’s development, and the manufacturer doesn’t mess around when it comes to protecting their talent pipeline. Having their rising star accidentally linked to a rival Toyota operation, even through a misunderstood joke, wasn’t something they could let slide.
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Meanwhile, Zilisch continues building his own reputation with JR Motorsports, where he’s shown flashes of the talent that made him such a hot commodity in the first place. His commitment to the Chevrolet program remains rock-solid, despite his willingness to support friends across the garage.
What Makes Brent Crews’ New Team So Ambitious?
While his friends dealt with the social media cleanup, Crews pressed forward with his remarkable project. At just 17 years old, the driver has already secured three ARCA victories in 2025 and now wants to make the jump to the Truck Series with his own operation.
The logistics get interesting since Crews can’t officially be listed as the team owner until he turns 18, but that’s not stopping his plans. He’s already made significant financial commitments, selling some of his micro sprint cars to help fund the new venture. The team will operate out of the Nitro Motorsports shop as they get established.
Crews plans to campaign the No. 70 truck in select races, with backing from Pristine Auction providing the financial foundation. It’s an incredibly bold move for someone who isn’t even old enough to vote yet, but his ARCA success suggests he has the talent to back up the ambition.