Here’s another curveball for Richard Childress! Just after RCR’s star player for the 2023 Cup Series, Kyle Busch?was surprisingly knocked out of the round of 12 despite finishing P3 at Charlotte ROVAL, another bombshell dropped from his Xfinity team. One of their top drivers, despite securing a position in the coveted top 8, has made the startling decision to exit the team.

The surprising turn of events comes hot on the heels of recent news: Ty Dillon is making way for Carson Hocevar at Spire Motorsports for the 2024 Cup Series season. It’s curious that RCR’s #2 driver decided to leave the team with just a few weeks remaining in the 2023 season.

Richard Childress Racing’s No. 2 Xfinity driver departs just shy of four races remaining this season

Nepotism has stirred the pot in numerous industries, and NASCAR has not been exempt. Recently, eyebrows were raised when Ty Dillon’s spot at Spire Motorsports was announced to be taken over by Carson Hocevar starting in 2024. Adding to the intrigue, just a day later, RCR cryptically tweeted that their Xfinity Series No. 2 driver would be bowing out for the next season. It wasn’t long before Sheldon Creed cleared the air, stating he was the one departing RCR on his own accord.

The decision has sparked a fair bit of backlash from NASCAR enthusiasts. Many were irked that RCR announced Creed’s exit right amidst his playoff contention, raising suspicions. Rumors suggest the move might be paving the way for Richard Childress?s grandson, Ty Dillon, to make a comeback.

Sheldon Creed, visibly emotional, released a heartfelt note on his official Twitter account: ?We have decided to leave Richard Childress Racing at the end of the 2023 Xfinity season. RCR and Whelen gave me my first opportunity out of the truck series, and although we haven’t gone out and won all the races we would’ve wished to, I’ll be forever grateful for the friendships, hard work, learning, and growing we have done. Additionally, I can’t thank Whelen enough for their never-ending support of me and our team. Extremely excited to share my 2024 plans with you all soon. SHELDON CREED?

Meanwhile, Austin Hill, RCR’s other stalwart in the Xfinity series, is comfortably nestled with a multi-year contract, suggesting the team isn’t gearing up for a three-car formation. However, with Creed’s exit, the stage seems set for Ty Dillon’s return to his grandfather’s fold.

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Besides, for those crunching the numbers and speculating about Creed’s trajectory had he raced in the upcoming four events, given his current 7th position in the playoff standings, let’s indulge in some hypotheticals.

Did Sheldon Creed have a shot at the 2023 Xfinity series title?

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With 13 top-10 finishes and an impressive 5 in the top-5 across 28 races in the 2023 Xfinity Series, Sheldon Creed displayed sheer prowess on the track. Although Creed didn’t clinch a win, his berth among the elite top 8 underscores his undeniable skill behind the wheel.

His track record speaks volumes: a P37 finish in his solo Las Vegas Xfinity race, a P17 at Homestead, an impressive P2 at Martinsville, and a notable P10 and P6 finish at Phoenix. Given these stats, it’s not far-fetched to believe Creed might have secured at least a runner-up spot in the Xfinity series.

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But steering away from these speculations, a burning question remains: What could have possibly prompted Sheldon Creed to make an abrupt exit midway through the season?