Sheldon Creed Seeks Elusive First Xfinity Series
Without a doubt, Sheldon Creed is the person who knows the most about his 0-90 record in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
Upon joining the Xfinity Series in 2022, the 26-year-old driver from Alpine, California, had high expectations placed on him. After three Truck Series seasons, eight wins, and a championship, Creed was considered one of NASCAR’s best prospects when he signed with Richard Childress Racing in 2022.
Nevertheless, Creed missed the playoffs due to a lacklustre rookie season that was only saved by a close victory at Darlington, his greatest performance to date. A chaotic 2023 ended with RCR turmoil in the Martinsville cutoff race, burning bridges, and Creed leaving Creed with a new team for 2024.
Naturally, he finished second in his debut race with Joe Gibbs Racing at Daytona. With ten runner-up finishes going into Saturday’s race in Michigan, Creed is tied for the most in Xfinity Series history with Daniel Hemric and Dale Jarrett. Assuming Creed can still not secure the coveted victory, he will own the record the next time he finishes in second place.
Though Creed qualified his Toyota Supra on the pole for Saturday’s Cabo Wabo 250 on Friday, the two-mile Michigan International Speedway might have something to say about his 0-90 time in Xfinity Series action. During Friday’s practice, Creed finished second on 10-lap averages and third in practice as well.
With six regular-season races left, Creed sits in 10th place, 69 points over the cut line, thanks to his quick car, strong team, and will to compete for a playoff slot. It appears that Creed has all he needs to overcome his scepticism and win his first Xfinity Series championship.
The one thing that he still needs? a tiny measure of good fortune as well as a helping hand from fate.
On Saturday, just after 3:30 p.m. ET, the Cabo Wabo 250 at Michigan will get underway. USA Network, MRN, the NBC Sports App, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio will all provide coverage of the race.
Creed, who won an ARCA race at Michigan in 2018, wins pole for Saturday’s Xfinity race.
Sheldon Creed knows what it’s like to knock on the door. He’s ready to kick the door down.
Creed, who has three runner-up finishes this season, on Friday afternoon raced to the pole for Saturday’s Cabo Wabo 250 at Michigan International Speedway.
With a Toyota driven by Joe Gibbs Racing for the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation, Creed completed a fast lap at 171.645 mph to secure his second pole of 2024 and third in 91 Xfinity starts overall.
In the 38-car race on Saturday, Cole Custer in the Autodesk/Haas Automation Ford (171.119) and Taylor Grey in the Operation 300 Toyota (171.156) will start from the second row, followed by Riley Herbst in the Monster Energy Ford (171.233).
Though he has finished runner-up ten times in the Xfinity Series, including three times this season, Creed, the 2020 Craftsman Truck Series champion, has yet to win.
“We consistently finish in the top five; I think we’ve been extremely steady,” Creed stated. “We’re in the top five, notwithstanding our problems. I’m pretty happy with the direction our team is going.”
In addition to aiming for his first victory in his third full season in the Xfinity Series, 26-year-old Creed is also attempting to secure a berth in the 12-driver Xfinity Playoffs. Eight drivers have secured a spot in the playoffs, with six races remaining in the regular season. Points should determine who finishes in the top four, with Creed being the second of the four drivers within the cutline.
“Out of 20 races, we have nine top-five finishes, but we still need to improve in order to gain more stage points.”
Chandler Smith, Creed’s colleague, qualified fifth on Friday, demonstrating the strength of his qualifying effort. On race day, though, Creed does not anticipate that the teammate factor will be relevant.
Creed remarked, “I feel like it goes both ways.” “Sometimes you can’t trust them when you need them, and other times they come get you. Despite my best efforts, we are all ultimately competing with one another.
Yes, we support one another, but I’m not going to step over the queue and lose ten positions in order to assist, you know.
