“If you’re not first, you’re last”. This quote by Ricky Bobby from Talladega Nights feels much worse when you’re in second place. While you might not be remembered for finishing second in a race, doing it over and over again builds an unwanted reputation.

Plenty of big names in NASCAR such as Kyle ‘Rowdy’ Busch have struggled with results lately. Busch is currently on a 57-race winless streak, but this story is not about the two-time Cup Series winner.

Even though the Xfinity Series is NASCAR’s second tier, the competition is as cutthroat as ever before. It’s a lesson Sheldon Creed seems to have learned the hard way, after having the unenviable record of the most runner-up finishes across his six-year-long career.

So close, yet so far

Sheldon Creed is considered a NASCAR journeyman. The California native has switched five teams in the last six years, completing three full seasons in the Xfinity Series. He has seen a steady improvement in performance during that timeframe, finishing 14th in the drivers’ standings during his rookie campaign, improving on that result by ending up seventh in 2023 and sixth in his first and only season with Joe Gibbs Racing in 2024. However, victory has eluded Creed so far, despite finishing in the top five 27 times.

Just last year, Sheldon Creed finished runner-up a staggering six times, going on to say, “I’m running out of ways to lose these things.” The driver now has the unflattering record of having the most second-place finishes in NASCAR’s second tier without a victory, breaking a longstanding record that was previously held by Dale Jarrett and Daniel Hemric. From another perspective, the results can also be viewed as ‘consistency’, as the racer has secured 16 top-five and 23 top-ten results in his 2024 season, finishing the campaign with the fourth-best average.

However, racing is all about winning, a lesson Creed seems to have learned the hard way. Finishing 15% of his total Xfinity Series races in second place is quite a record, one that the California-based racer can be grudgingly proud of. Lady luck hasn’t been on his side as well, as the driver got passed in the last corner in the race at Watkins Glen and crashed at Daytona International Speedway while attempting to make a race-winning pass in the last lap. Whatever could go wrong has gone wrong for Creed, who will hope for a new beginning with the Haas Factory Team in 2025.

Sheldon Creed will be optimistic about his chances for the 2025 campaign despite the blemishes in 2024. The driver has tasted immense success in the past, especially in the Truck Series where he secured a championship in 2020 after securing five wins. Given his performances in NASCAR’s second tier, it only seems like a matter of time before his winless streak in the Xfinity Series finally comes to an end. However, there will be no room for complacency for the racer, who needs to step up and get some race wins under his belt.

Sheldon Creed aims to contend for the Championship

Trending

1

Tony Stewart & Leah Pruett Invest $2.25 Million in a Life-Changing Cause

2

Shell-Shocked Dale Earnhardt Jr Explores 50-Year Old Unsolved Mysteries of His Dad’s Daytona Legacy

3

Shutting Down of Nearly $100 Billion Worth Company Has Bubba Wallace’s Wife in Shambles

4

Kelley Earnhardt Reveals Dale Jr.’s Irresponsible Yet Heartfelt Gesture, Upsetting JRM Financials

5

Roger Penske’s Plan to Overtake NASCAR Revealed by Latest F1 Hire

Sheldon Creed is taking somewhat of a gamble. The Haas Factory Team is a relatively unknown team, born from the remnants of what was once known as Stewart-Haas Racing. While the team that was co-owned by Tony Stewart and Gene Haas achieved success in the Xfinity Series with Cole Custer at the helm, it’s unknown if that success will be transferred to the newly rebranded side. However, the California native is optimistic about his chances and will be driving the No. 00 Ford Mustang for the 2025 campaign.

Sharing his thoughts about his move to the Haas Factory Team, Creed said, “I watched what Cole Custer did last year on his way to the Xfinity Series championship and when I talked with him about the setup of the organization, everything he said resonated with me. I feel like Haas Factory Team is a place where I can succeed, and where Sam (Mayer) and I can work together to win races and be championship contenders.”

Sheldon Creed’s NASCAR journey has been far from straightforward. Switching his third team in four years isn’t a good look for the 27-year-old, who needs some stability at this stage of his career. Finding a long-term home in the Haas Factory Team should be a priority for the driver, who will want to secure race wins to consistently qualify for the playoffs. Signing a multi-year deal is a step in the right direction for the California native, but it remains to be seen if he will find the ‘winning formula’ with his new employers.