Sheldon Creed wins O’Reilly Series at EchoPark Speedway, claiming his long-awaited first victory after a dramatic late-race battle on Saturday, February 21. This breakthrough triumph came for Creed after 15 previous finishes in second place, ending a persistent winless stretch in front of an intense Atlanta crowd.
Creed Ends Long Wait for First Series Win at EchoPark Speedway
Following 138 starts in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, Sheldon Creed crossed the finish line with his No. 00 Chevrolet, securing his inaugural win in a highly competitive event marked by 24 lead changes—a race record. The victory became reality after a chaotic final sequence sparked by a debris caution with 11 laps to go, requiring a 4 minute, 28-second red flag before action resumed.
The tension remained high when the race restarted with just six laps on the board. Drivers vied for every position, sometimes going three wide on the 1.5-mile oval. In the closing laps, Creed rallied from third position, with Cup Series regular Ross Chastain and former teammate Austin Hill in front.
As the race reached its final circuit, Creed managed to overtake both Hill and Chastain after a sequence where Chastain was pushed into Hill, nearly spinning Hill out but allowing him to regain control. Creed drove past both competitors, ultimately taking the checkered flag for the HAAS Factory Team. Hot on Creed’s heels for a career-best result was Parker Retzlaff, followed by Nick Sanchez in third, Corey Day in fourth, and Jesse Love rounding out the top five.
Reflecting on his long road to victory after consistent heartbreak, Creed expressed the weight of ending his drought:
“Yeah, I’ve been a loser the past few years and I just kept showing up,”
Creed, Driver
The triumph is especially meaningful for Creed, who once lifted the Truck Series championship in 2020. He acknowledged the unexpected nature of the win and the hope that this momentum will revive his racing career, thanking his prior teams from Richard Childress Racing and Joe Gibbs Racing for their opportunities. Creed celebrated wholeheartedly, adding:
“I’m probably going to drink a ton of Coors Lights tonight.”
Creed, Driver
Austin Hill’s Near Miss and Dramatic Save
Austin Hill, a five-time victor at EchoPark Speedway, showcased his experience while leading the field on the white flag lap before the late-race collision determined the outcome. Despite being dropped to 12th by race end, Hill acknowledged both the intensity and unpredictability of the closing laps. After reviewing the incident, Hill realized he may have left the door open for Chastain to make a move out of Turn 2—a move that almost cost him control, but he skillfully managed to save his spinning car in dramatic style.
“We really had a fast Chevrolet all day,”
Hill, Driver
The race’s climax proved memorable for Hill, who praised both the competition and his own late-race save:
“That was a lot of fun, I had a blast tonight. It just wasn’t meant to be, Atlanta has been good to us.”
Hill, Driver
Late-Race Crash Shakes Up the Field
The closing stages of the 163-lap contest were made even more dramatic by a multi-car incident with just 22 laps to go. The accident began when Sammy Smith, who had only recently returned to the lead lap following an earlier crash, suffered a flat tire while running seventh. As Smith spun, he set off a chain reaction that collected Ryan Ellis, William Sawalich, Gio Ruggiero, Nick Leitz, Brennan Poole, Lavar Scott, Patrick Staropoli, Taylor Gray, and Mason Maggio, creating a significant challenge for race officials and competitors alike.
At the time, Ross Chastain was leading, while early pacesetters Austin Hill and Jesse Love from Richard Childress Racing remained in contention behind him. Despite the chaos and the high number of lead changes, drivers continued to push hard, setting the stage for Creed’s ultimately victorious sprint to the finish.
What Comes Next for the O’Reilly Series
With the dust now settling after a turbulent night at EchoPark Speedway, attention swiftly turns to the next chapter for the O’Reilly Series. The circuit’s road course event at Circuit of the Americas is set for Saturday, February 28, where drivers such as Creed, Chastain, Hill, and others will look to capitalize on the momentum or seek redemption after the wild Atlanta race. The breakthrough moment for Sheldon Creed will remain a highlight—not only for its emotional weight but also for putting the entire field on notice as the competitive season continues.
