Jesse Love's Phoenix frustration shows winning still matters in NASCAR

For those who enjoyed NASCAR's previous elimination-style playoff format, where a race win would guarantee a playoff berth and later, berths in the next playoff round, the sport's reversion to a format where wins no longer guarantee either of those things may have seemed like a downgrade. 

Sure, NASCAR increased the number of points handed out for winning a race from 40 to 55, but with seemingly less on the line for wins, some fans were likely worried that the value of a race win would decrease. 

Have no fear. 

Race drivers are born and bred competitors, and even without huge season-long ramifications on the line, a win in one of NASCAR's top-three series is an incredible accomplishment regardless of the implications for a driver's season. For the losers, coming up just shy of a victory is still demoralizing.

Jesse Love's Phoenix loss shows winning still matters

Winning in NASCAR might be arguably more important than ever, thanks to the nature of NASCAR's new points system, and rest assured, losing still hurts as much as it always has. 

NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series driver Jesse Love proved that after he finished runner-up to Justin Allgaier in Saturday's GOVX 200 at Phoenix Raceway.

Love was asked if, despite a heartbreaking loss that saw him lead 114 laps but lose the lead with 11 circuits remaining, he could still hold his head high.

"Yeah, if I show up to run second and just collect points," Love told CW Sports. "But obviously not why I'm here. Just beyond frustrated with myself. I don't even know what to say. Just upset with myself."

Yes, winning still matters in NASCAR, and you can be sure that losing still stings — even if you're Love, who is second in the standings after Saturday's race, just three points behind points leader Justin Allgaier.