After four grueling years of close finishes and near-misses, Sheldon Creed finally achieved his first victory in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series on Saturday, February 21st, at EchoPark Speedway. In front of a charged crowd, Creed’s triumph was a pivotal moment, ending an agonizing wait by capturing the checkered flag in a stunning final-lap sequence, highlighting the intensity and unpredictability of the sport as he executed a late-race pass to secure the win.
Creed’s dramatic late move followed a high-stakes battle, entering the closing corners third behind Austin Hill and Ross Chastain. As Chastain made a bold dive to the inside and Hill tried an aggressive block, both frontrunners collided slightly, opening the perfect lane for Creed to surge past, leaving the field behind in his 138th series start.
“SHELDON CREED IS A WINNER IN THE NASCAR O’REILLY AUTO PARTS SERIES! pic.twitter.com/dt5ReFaVEM”
— NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts (@NASCAROReillyAP)
Strong Performances Highlight Top Finishers
Parker Retzlaff matched his best-ever result in the O’Reilly Series by taking second, solidifying a strong start to his season. Nick Sanchez capitalized on limited resources, bringing home third for AM Racing and proving a force at EchoPark after overcoming an uncertain winter without a confirmed ride. Corey Day, despite being at the center of two significant race incidents, finished fourth as a rookie, with Jesse Love rounding out the top five. Ross Chastain, after contending for the win, slipped to sixth, while Austin Hill miraculously recovered to finish 12th after nearly spinning on the apron.
Career Milestone and a Shift in the Championship Picture
After years of bouncing between Richard Childress Racing, Joe Gibbs Racing, and the Haas Factory Team, Creed had faced growing scrutiny for his accumulation of runner-up finishes with no wins. By finally conquering the “choker” label, Creed now stands third in series points and has energized the No. 00 team, leaving EchoPark as not only a points contender but now, undeniably, as a race winner. His breakthrough could signal the start of a floodgate of wins, as the confidence gained from breaking through is invaluable for Creed and his team’s morale going forward.
Parker Retzlaff’s runner-up result also marks a high point for Viking Motorsports, especially after a challenging previous season. Retzlaff’s collection of finishes—14th and now 2nd—has positioned him fifth in points, offering an optimistic outlook for both the driver and the Viking squad. Nick Sanchez, now one of the track’s most consistent performers, proved his resilience and skill by returning AM Racing to the spotlight. Chastain and his team, led by Jordan Anderson, came heartbreakingly close to a breakthrough O’Reilly victory, a reminder of how fine the margins are at the front of the field.
Incidents and Setbacks for Notable Drivers
Despite his fourth-place finish, rookie Corey Day had a challenging race. Early on, Day launched an aggressive three-wide move, triggering a crash involving Ryan Sieg, his brother, Blaine Perkins, and Harrison Burton. Both Sieg brothers were openly frustrated with Day after leaving the infield care center, hinting at tensions stemming from the early wreck. Later in the race, Day’s misfortune continued when a flat tire led to another collision, this time collecting key JR Motorsports teammates Carson Kvapil and Justin Allgaier. While this was more a case of bad luck, it nevertheless capped a rough start to Day’s rookie campaign and highlighted the need for cleaner results to avoid developing a negative on-track reputation.
Austin Hill’s Superspeedway Streak Broken
Austin Hill and his Richard Childress Racing team have built a reputation for dominance at superspeedways, making anything short of victory a letdown. At EchoPark, Hill led a race-high 34 of the 163 laps and pulled off a daring move to snatch the lead as the white flag waved. However, a late block against Chastain in the final corners nearly caused disaster, costing Hill a chance at a sixth Atlanta win. Nevertheless, his ability to save the car and finish 12th, after such a dramatic incident, underscores both his skill and the brutal unpredictability of these races. For Hill, anything less than victory on these tracks is a disappointment, testifying to the high expectations set by his own performances.
Costly Errors and Viral Moments in the Field
Sam Mayer put in a remarkable on-track comeback, recovering from three laps down to finish seventh after earning pole position. However, Mayer became the center of social media attention for mistakenly harming his car’s splitter in the wet grass on the cooldown lap, a blunder that did not affect the final result but provided an embarrassing viral moment after congratulating his teammate post-race.
Broadcasting Brings Energy to the Drama
The final lap call from The CW broadcast booth was widely praised, with Adam Alexander, Parker Kligerman, and Jamie McMurray delivering an intense and exciting narrative during Creed’s dramatic win. Their chemistry and energy were highlighted as some of the best in recent NASCAR coverage, with the network’s production gaining favorable comparisons to industry leaders. This high-quality broadcast added to the overall spectacle and fan enjoyment of Creed’s momentous victory.
“The block into 3The save by HillThe first win for CreedThe HYPE inside the CW boothO’Reilly Series really has everything you want pic.twitter.com/EuYiynYWHf”
— Dirty Mo Media (@DirtyMoMedia)
Standout Car Designs Turn Heads
Fans and teams alike were treated to a memorable sight with Carson Kvapil’s bright red and white Arby’s car, which debuted an eye-catching livery featuring roast beef sandwiches and curly fries. Although Kvapil did not make it to the race finish, his car design drew admiration from both the paddock and fans. For bonus points, Kvapil’s firesuit famously displayed a variety of meats, embodying the Arby’s slogan in racing style.
“NEW MEAT CAR: Arby’s first race with JR Motorsports will be aboard the No. 1 for Carson KvapilThis car has the meats and it even has curly fries on it too pic.twitter.com/ntrhcpwBui”
— Steven Taranto (@STaranto92)
“We have the meats @Carson_Kvapil’s Arby’s fire suit (via u/Alex12blanning43) https://t.co/igBWorUtoP #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/oGAqvAHHY6”
— r/NASCAR on Reddit (@NASCARonReddit)
Looking Ahead to the Next Challenge
With the pressure of earning a first win finally behind him, Sheldon Creed and the rest of the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series field set their sights on the next race. The championship now heads to Texas for the season’s first road course event at Circuit of the Americas. The Focused Health 250 will take place on Saturday, February 28th, beginning at 3 p.m. ET, with coverage once again provided by The CW. All eyes will be on Creed to see if his breakthrough marks the start of a new era in the series, while competitors like Parker Retzlaff, Nick Sanchez, and Austin Hill aim to build on their early-season momentum.
SHELDON CREED IS A WINNER IN THE NASCAR O'REILLY AUTO PARTS SERIES! pic.twitter.com/dt5ReFaVEM
— NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts (@NASCAROReillyAP) February 22, 2026
??? pic.twitter.com/LfDKGcRxIs
— No Context NASCAR (@NoContextNyoom) February 22, 2026
The block into 3
The save by Hill
The first win for Creed
The HYPE inside the CW boothO’Reilly Series really has everything you want pic.twitter.com/EuYiynYWHf
— Dirty Mo Media (@DirtyMoMedia) February 22, 2026
NEW MEAT CAR: Arby's first race with JR Motorsports will be aboard the No. 1 for Carson Kvapil
This car has the meats and it even has curly fries on it too pic.twitter.com/ntrhcpwBui
— Steven Taranto (@STaranto92) February 20, 2026
We have the meats @Carson_Kvapil's Arby's fire suit (via u/Alex12blanning43) https://t.co/igBWorUtoP #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/oGAqvAHHY6
— r/NASCAR on Reddit (@NASCARonReddit) February 20, 2026
