By Justin Schuoler, Staff Writer
In a heart-pounding finish at the Daytona Int’l Speedway, Sheldon Creed fell just short of his first career win in the NASCAR Xfinity Series race on Saturday. The margin was a mere 0.005 seconds, as Justin Allgaier edged past him at the finish line to secure the victory.
Creed, who has been steadily climbing the ranks in the Xfinity Series, continued his display of exceptional skill and determination throughout the race. In more ways than one can count, Creed still finds ways to put himself in prime position nearing the finish. As he takes that fortune and talent to the superspeedways, he shared how he has leaned on his teammate, who has quickly become one of the recent successful superspeedway racers in the series.
“Another great run for us—my best speedway race,” said Creed, who is still seeking his first Xfinity Series win. “I hated speedway racing two years ago. My teammate (Hill) was kicking my butt at it, and I had to get it together, right?
“So asking him questions, just trying to learn and watch and get better at this stuff because speedway racing is so hard mentally. It’s probably harder than any kind of racing mentally, just knowing where to go and what moves to make.”
As the race came down to its final moments, fans witnessed an electrifying battle between many drivers, including double overtime which saw Creed and Allgaier door-to-door for the coveted first-place position. The two drivers nearly traded paint and showcased their racing prowess, thrilling the crowd with their neck-and-neck contest.
However, fate favored Allgaier as he managed to eke out a minuscule lead over Creed as they roared towards the finish line. The official race results indicated that Allgaier secured the win by a mere 0.005 seconds, leaving Creed with a hard-fought second-place finish.
Despite narrowly missing out on victory, Creed’s determination and skill were undeniable, making it clear that his first career win is only a matter of time. His improvement at Daytona over the years showcased his potential to be a future contender that could make Richard Childress Racing a force to be reckoned with.
Creed’s resilience in the face of this close defeat reflects the competitive spirit that defines NASCAR racing. As the Xfinity Series season progresses, fans and fellow competitors alike will undoubtedly keep a close eye on Sheldon Creed, eagerly anticipating the moment if he can claim his first victory before the 2023 calendar closes.
With only two races left in the regular season, Creed’s current standing places him in a promising position as he maintains a 50-point buffer above the cutoff line. The upcoming race at Darlington Raceway, the Sport Clips Haircuts VFW Help A Hero 200, scheduled for September 2 at 3:30 pm Eastern, presents another opportunity for Creed to further solidify his stature in the Xfinity Series. As the season reaches its climax, racing enthusiasts will eagerly anticipate whether Creed can leverage his No. 2 Chevrolet Camaro into the playoffs.