Sheldon Creed ended a prolonged wait for his first NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series victory this past Saturday at EchoPark Speedway in Atlanta, breaking a streak of 15 runner-up finishes. After years of coming close, Creed seized the win in the Bennett Transportation & Logistics 250 when a last-lap collision between Austin Hill and Ross Chastain opened an opportunity for him to capture the lead and ultimate triumph.
Running third as the race reached its climax, Creed’s No. 00 Chevrolet capitalized on multiple lead changes—24 in total—moving into first place to claim his breakthrough win after 138 starts in the series.
The Challenge of Consistently Finishing Second and Maintaining Confidence
Despite frequent second-place outcomes, Creed struggled with doubts about his racing abilities. The frustration of many near misses weighed heavily during his four full seasons without a win. In a post-race interview with Fox Sports, the 28-year-old openly acknowledged his internal battle and resilience.
“I’ve thought every year, like, man, ‘Am I not good enough?’ And then you have your good runs that kind of bring your spirits back, but, yeah, do I need to go run equipment, or, I wouldn’t be an office job guy, but race cars is just it’s an incredible way to make a living, and I don’t want to go run equipment. I want to keep working hard at this, and keep winning,” Sheldon Creed said.
He credited renewed confidence partly to reconnecting with former NASCAR Cup driver Josh Wise at Haas Factory Team, which helped him start the latest season on a stronger note.
“100% the confidence got killed the last four years, and I’d say working back with Josh Wise again, that’s helped a lot to start this season,” he added.
Additionally, Creed noted that the intense competition in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series has pushed him to improve his performance and believe in his potential to win.
Past Career Highlights and Recent NASCAR Series Participation
Sheldon Creed enjoyed considerable success earlier in his racing career, notably winning the 2020 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship with GMS Racing. That season, he notched five victories, including his first career win at Kentucky Speedway and triumphs at prominent tracks such as Daytona, Gateway, Texas, and a memorable overtime victory at Phoenix Raceway.
After moving to the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2022 with Richard Childress Racing, his results were strong but complicated by repeated near victories until his recent breakthrough in Atlanta. Creed also expanded his NASCAR experience by making his Cup Series debut in September 2023 at Kansas Speedway, driving the No. 78 car for Live Fast Motorsports, where he started 34th and finished 29th.
At EchoPark Speedway, Creed seized the moment in the closing laps when Hill and Chastain, who dominated by leading 34 laps, collided during a fierce battle for the lead, causing Chastain to spin out. Creed skillfully maneuvered through the gap left open, capturing the race win.
The Significance of Sheldon Creed’s Victory and What Lies Ahead
Sheldon Creed’s first win in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series represents a pivotal milestone in his career, signifying an end to his long streak of runner-up finishes and reinforcing his status as a top competitor. This victory could mark the beginning of greater consistency and confidence in future races.
With this confidence boost and renewed momentum, Creed is positioned to challenge more aggressively for wins throughout the season, while his past success and expanding NASCAR experience will likely continue shaping his growth in higher NASCAR tiers.
Sheldon Creed on losing his confidence over a four-year O'Reilly Series career that included 15 second-place finishes but no wins up until Saturday. @NASCARONFOX pic.twitter.com/SLTCHDi4j8
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) February 22, 2026
