Jesse Love will drive the No. 21 Ford for Wood Brothers Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series beginning in 2027.

The team announced the news Wednesday, a week after confirming that driver Josh Berry will not return next season.

Love, 21, will make his debut for the venerable NASCAR shop at the 2027 Daytona 500.

Love is currently competing in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, driving the No. 2 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing. He ranks second in the standings through 17 starts with 10 top-10 finishes, including six in the top five.

“Driving the No. 21 for Wood Brothers Racing is truly an honor,” Love said in a news release. “This team has played such an important role in NASCAR history, and the drivers who have sat behind the wheel of this car are some of the greatest our sport has ever seen. I’m incredibly grateful to everyone at Wood Brothers Racing, Team Penske and Ford Racing for believing in me — I’m excited to get to work, continue learning from the people around me and compete at the highest level.”

Love was the 2024 Rookie of the Year and the 2025 season champion in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, previously known as the Xfinity Series. He has three career wins on that circuit.

“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.”

Previous drivers who took the wheel in the No. 21 car include NASCAR Hall of Fame members David Pearson, Buddy Baker and Cale Yarborough, and current Team Penske star Ryan Blaney.

–Field Level Media