Sheldon Creed achieved a long-awaited milestone on Saturday at EchoPark Speedway, winning the Bennett Transportation 250 after 138 attempts in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. Capturing his first O’Reilly Series victory, Creed drove the No. 00 Haas Factory Team Chevrolet past the finish line, seizing the moment during a chaotic last-lap exchange.
Creed Breaks Through After Record Runner-Up Finishes
Before this triumph, Sheldon Creed had established an unwelcome series record with 15 second-place finishes, which fueled anticipation and pressure for a victory. Hailing from Alpine, California, Creed’s persistence paid off in dramatic fashion at the 250-lap race, finally cementing his name among series winners.
“I don’t have to hear it again, you know?”
Sheldon Creed told PRN.
“If we can finish second five more times this year, I’m OK with it because we’re finally a winner. To have it out of the way and out of the way early is awesome.”
Creed’s relief was palpable as he discussed shutting down ongoing speculation around his near-misses and celebrating the overdue breakthrough.
Final Lap Incident Shakes Up the Race Finish
The race reached its climax with a critical collision between Austin Hill and Cup Series regular Ross Chastain as they vied for position. Hill was sent spinning in the final moments, creating a pivotal opening. Creed expertly maneuvered his Haas Factory Chevrolet through the chaos, surging past the competitors to secure his historic victory.
“No excuse, I turned him okay, for sure,”
Ross Chastain said as he recalled making contact with Hill.
“And I hate that I did that to another Chevy but I’m glad Sheldon was there to pick it up. …I don’t want to spin these guys I’m not trying to crash coming to the checkered. But to get the run down the back, I did not execute it very well, that’s for sure.”
Chastain’s candid admission underscored both the intensity and unpredictability in the final stretch, while also acknowledging Creed’s readiness to capitalize on the opportunity.
With the last-lap drama making headlines, Parker Retzlaff took second place, followed by Nick Sanchez, Corey Day, and Jesse Love rounding out the top five. Rounding out the top ten were Ross Chastain himself, Sam Mayer, Rajah Caruth, Taylor Gray, and Brandon Jones.
Sheldon Creed’s Path to the Haas Factory Team
Before joining the Haas Factory Team, Creed competed for Joe Gibbs Racing during the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series, now rebranded as the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. Although he didn’t record a win that season, Creed’s consistent performance shone through, with 23 top-10 results and a tie with Cole Custer for the series’ second-best record in both top-10s and top-fives. This demonstrated he was a driver to watch even before his first victory.
Creed found himself in a unique position after Cole Custer moved up to the Cup Series and Riley Herbst transitioned to 23XI Racing, opening up seats at the Haas Factory Team. Joe Custer, father of Cole and president of the team, selected Creed along with Sam Mayer, a standout from JR Motorsports, recognizing their talent and consistency.
“I was hoping – maybe they knew it was a one-year deal – I didn’t know,”
Sheldon Creed said in a statement.
“I was hoping to go back and then midyear, I saw how things were playing out for other guys and knew that it probably wasn’t going to work with money and what they need.”
Creed’s candid reflection highlights the uncertain nature of team contracts and how a shifting lineup opened the door to his new home, where his potential is translating into results.
Looking Ahead to the Next Race
The attention now turns to the Focused Health 250 at the Circuit of The Americas (COTA) on February 28. Drivers, including Creed, will compete for momentum early in the season, with the next chapter set to air live on CW at 3 pm ET, and radio coverage available via PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Notable figures like Parker Retzlaff, Nick Sanchez, Jesse Love, Rajah Caruth, and Taylor Gray will look to build on their own strong starts, while the racing community watches whether Creed’s breakthrough fuels multiple wins for the California native.
With his Sheldon Creed O’Reilly Series victory finally secured, the Haas Factory Team driver enters the next rounds with renewed confidence and the attention of fans, fellow racers, and team leaders like Joe Custer. As unpredictable moments on the track reshape careers and standings, Creed’s journey from perennial runner-up to winner will be closely followed throughout this year’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.
