Richard Childress Racing experienced an implosion of epic proportions in the Xfinity Series race at Martinsville. The result of the whole fiasco was not a single RCR car making it to the championship race in Phoenix. The legendary team owner already had to endure a torrid time in the Cup Series. The drama that unfolded on Saturday was the last thing Richard Childress needed. The brunt of his anger and frustration was aimed at outgoing driver Sheldon Creed, but it was not well received by one of his former employees.
In Martinsville, the 26-year-old took the lead off his teammate Austin Hill on the final lap. Trying to get the place back, Hill became overzealous and spun while Creed was narrowly defeated by Justin Allgaier. Richard Childress completely lost his calm after the incident and publicly called Sheldon Creed stupid.
Former employee slams Richard Childress over poor communication
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Robby Gordon used to be a driver for Richard Childress Racing in the early 2000s before leaving the team in 2004. During his stint with RCR, Gordon racked up three race wins driving the #31. It was he who helped Sheldon Creed get into the team and he was not happy with how RCR treated the 26-year-old at the end of the Martinsville race.
Tensions already seemed to be brewing between Creed and RCR after it was announced that he would leave the team at the end of the year. Both parties released a statement that gave contrasting versions of what had happened. It was a PR nightmare for Childress.
As far as Martinsville goes, Robby Gordon believes both drivers could have made it into the final 4. A lack of communication from the team cost them the chance at the Xfinity Series title.
“If the 21 is smart enough to chuck up a little bit, and let Creed win, they both make it to the final 4. Instead, they decide to race each other like a bunch of maniacs like you see on Days of Thunder and you come back with both of them missing the championship,” Gordon said.
#NASCAR: RCR alumnus Robby Gordon on the Martinsville debacle with Austin Hill and Sheldon Creed: "I helped Creed get the ride over there at Richard's, I think Creed's going to a very good place, I think he's very talented. Dammit, you guys both could've made the championship!" pic.twitter.com/677eM5Kr1X
— Justin Nguyen (@ZappaOMatic) October 29, 2023
Robby Gordon slammed the team for not seeing the rewards of letting Sheldon Creed win and publicly chastising him instead. After all, it was Gordon who brought the 26-year-old to RCR.
“They should have given instructions prior to that final restart, ‘Austin, if Creed wins and you finish second, you both go to the final 4.’ Instead, you guys missed the boat as a team operation Richard and I take this personally. Honestly, you guys should have been better at your game, gave that one to Creed, both cars make it to the final 4 and you probably win the championship,” the former RCR driver added.
While Sheldon Creed had the support of an ex-RCR driver, his teammate was absolutely done with him. Austin Hill was in the top four before the Martinsville race. Had there not been that incident at the end, the 29-year-old would have, in all probability, clinched a place in Phoenix next Saturday.
Austin Hill verbally rips Creed apart after Martinsville: “Cannot wait for him to get out”
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Austin Hill’s frustrations knew no bounds at the end of the race. The RCR star slammed Sheldon Creed for ruining his chances. It seems like Creed doesn’t have many friends left on the team, so it’s a good thing that he’s leaving. Hill is one person who would be very happy to see him leave.
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“I cannot wait for him to get out of RCR. I can’t wait to have Jesse Love as a teammate. Maybe he’ll work better with me. Just cannot wait for him to get over to Joe Gibbs Racing, and I don’t have to put up with that s**t no more,” the driver of the #21 said.
"I cannot wait for him to get over to Joe Gibbs Racing so I don't have to deal with this s*it no more." @_AustinHill voices his frustration with @sheldoncreed after crashing out on the final lap.
📹 @m_massie22 pic.twitter.com/P5tVlbROBu
— Frontstretch (@Frontstretch) October 28, 2023
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This whole drama is perhaps the biggest story of the Xfinity Series this season. Sheldon Creed and RCR won’t take too kindly to one another for quite a while after Saturday. Do you think Creed was wrong to go for the win? Or was it RCR’s fault that they couldn’t get a single driver in the championship race?
Watch This Story | NASCAR PR Crisis: Richard Childress Racing vs Sheldon Creed