Sheldon Creed’s actions had severe consequences as his boss doubled down on the driver calling him “stupid” while he sided with the regular season champion, Hill. However, not all were on the same boat with Childress on this one as popular NASCAR journalist and pundit came to Creed’s aid, springing into action to defend the 26-year-old.
The setting was perfect for Richard Childress Racing, a team that fielded legendary drivers like the great Dale Earnhardt and Kevin Harvick, in Martinsville. The final lap of Dead on Tools 250 was about to down on a perfect note with the #21 car of Austin Hill and #2 of Sheldon Creed crossing the finish line #1 and #2 until it got terribly off the rails for the Chevrolet-affiliated team. In Saturday’s Xfinity Series, things went from a picture-perfect finish to the absolute worst for Richard Childress and Co. as the penultimate race saw the RCR teammates trading punches at each other.
NASCAR pundit shield Sheldon Creed amidst RCR’s implosion at Martinsville
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Seeing one’s drivers wreck each other out is something no team owner wants to witness, especially when the scene is more dire than ever. Regular season champion, Austin Hill and his teammate Sheldon Creed just did that when the two went at it holding no bars, furiously racing each other to the finish line as the two drivers had only one thing in mind – a spot in the final 4.
Unfortunately for Childress, neither the #21 nor the #2 car clinched a spot as the closing lap fiasco rendered Hill out of contention with a multiple-car wreck while JR Motorsports‘ Justin Allgaier snatched a decisive win from Creed, edging him out by 0.032 seconds. While the whole world came crashing down on the Creed for his back and forth with Hill that had both drivers missing the final fray, NASCAR journalist and analyst, Jeff Gluck wasn’t buying Childress’ “stupid” narrative.
Speaking on the DBC podcast, he asked, “How can you be spot on? He didn’t even do anything. Like, where are we talking about? Why is everybody mad at him on his team aside from the fact that he is leaving and Austin Hill is staying?” With the team boss and RCR’s Vice President of competition denouncing the 26-year-old’s actions, Gluck further emphasized his point.
Did Sheldon Creed do anything wrong? You tell us. 👇
📺 https://t.co/SN30EQDReX
👤 @jeff_gluck pic.twitter.com/jAnAMTU9YX— Dirty Mo Media (@DirtyMoMedia) October 30, 2023
He said, “Andy Petree is yelling at him, (Richard) Childress is saying this stuff because after Austin Hill was so mad and everybody’s so mad, I thought maybe I missed something so I went back and watched the replay, we were all sitting in the press box, they’re playing it and I’m like, well, point out like where he does something wrong, we’re like, no, not yet, not yet, nope, nope, nope, nope. He didn’t do anything. What did he do? Like, that’s about as fair as you could ask a to a final four spot on the line you have to win.”
“I’m so happy to be going…” – Creed exposes Childress’ favoritism moments after RCR’s Martinsville implosion
For one, things haven’t been perfect for Sheldon Creed at RCR. His alleged feud with teammate, Hill already has the community talking and Martinsville fallout was the final straw that broke the camel’s back. With the final spot on the line, Hill and Creed were back at it again in Martinsville when a final maneuver from the #2 caused a massive pile-up on the backstretch.
While both drivers lost the opportunity to Allgaier who clinched the win, Creed managed a 2nd spot finish whereas Hill couldn’t even finish the race, wrecking out to the #21 position. Consequently, Creed was subjected to hard blows when RCR’s VP Petree confronted him on the track following the aftermath.
Sheldon Creed reacts to Austin Hill’s comments that he’s glad Creed won’t be at RCR next year. Creed is expected to go to Joe Gibbs Racing starting in 2024. pic.twitter.com/8oUr018UEZ
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) October 28, 2023
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On the other hand, the 26-year-old who is rumored to take the high road with Joe Gibbs Racing for the 2024 season slapped back, exposing the boss’ favoritism towards Hill. Moments after the fallout, Creed said, “They clearly like him(Austin Hill). He’s done a really good job and he’s won four races, I’m so happy to be going where I’m going. Just proud of my guys for giving me a car capable today. To be there at the end and have a shot at that, this place always ends in dirty racing.”
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With the 2 drivers beating and banging each other, blowing their chances, the 2023 finale at Phoenix will have Sam Mayer and his teammate, Justin Allgaier along with John Hunter Nemechek of JGR and Cole Custer.
WATCH THIS STORY: “Nobody as stupid as Sheldon Creed” – Richard Childress publically chastises dejected star moments after on-track fallout with RCR VP