Sheldon Creed’s Heartbreak at Darlington Xfinity Race: Bell Triumphs, Custer Grabs Second
Sheldon Creed, a seasoned NASCAR Xfinity Series driver with 11 runner-up finishes under his belt, was poised for his first victory after a thrilling race at Darlington Raceway. With just nine laps to go, Creed managed to pass his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, Christopher Bell, for the lead. It seemed like his long-awaited win was finally within reach until a caution flag flew, forcing the race into overtime.
As the entire field rushed down pit road for fresh tires in preparation for a two-lap shootout, Creed encountered a setback with a slow pit stop that dropped him from the lead to third. He found himself restarting behind Bell and Cole Custer, who had managed to secure the top two positions after a close call coming out of Turn 2. Despite their cars briefly locking together, Bell and Custer avoided a wreck and maintained their positions at the front of the pack.
In a thrilling finish, Bell surged ahead to claim his 19th career NASCAR Xfinity Series win, with Custer following closely behind in second place. Creed, who had led the race before the caution, had to settle for third, marking yet another heartbreak in his quest for a victory.
Reflecting on the intense final moments of the race, Bell acknowledged the challenges of the Darlington track, where drivers often face unpredictable conditions. He expressed sympathy for Creed, recognizing the disappointment of losing the lead on pit road after a strong performance on the track.
Meanwhile, Creed was left dejected by another near-miss in his pursuit of a win at Darlington. Despite putting in one of his best performances and receiving support from his pit crew, Creed lamented the outcome of the race, attributing his loss to the pit road shuffle that saw him drop from first to third in the closing laps.
In addition to the top three finishers, Chase Elliott and Sammy Smith rounded out the top-five positions, with Shane van Gisbergen improving on his previous 15th-place result at Darlington to secure a seventh-place finish in Saturday’s race.
Overall, the Darlington Xfinity race was a rollercoaster of emotions for drivers and fans alike, showcasing the unpredictable nature of racing at one of NASCAR’s most challenging tracks. While Bell celebrated his victory and Custer claimed a hard-fought second place, Creed was left to ponder what might have been as he continues his quest for that elusive first win in the Xfinity Series.