Sheldon Creed rallies to win first Truck title
AVONDALE, Ariz. — Sheldon Creed is the 2020 NASCAR Gander RV and Outdoors Truck Series champion.
Creed picked up the victory in NASCAR Overtime — and simultaneously the championship — Friday (Nov. 6th) in the Lucas Oil 150 at Phoenix Raceway, his first championship in NASCAR’s third-tier series.
After restarting in ninth with two laps to go, Creed was able to rally past the field on fresh tires, taking the lead out of Turn 4 coming to the white flag lap.
“My grandfather is the one who makes this deal happen,” Creed said. “I’m going to drink some cold beer tonight.”
The GMS Racing driver pitted under caution for fresh tires after a late-race Dawson Cram caution bunched up the field and sent the race into NASCAR Overtime.
Creed pieced together five victories, nine Top-5 finishes, 13 Top-10 finishes and 587 laps led in his championship campaign.
Creed is the 19th different champion in the series’ 26-year history and sixth different title winner in the past six years.
“Being young and a kid still, I’m racing against my teammates for a ride, really,” Creed said to The Racing Experts. “…Just give it my best every week.”
OTHER CONTENDERS
Finishing second behind Creed was his teammate, Zane Smith. Smith led the opening 48 laps of the race.
“I’m happy for Sheldon, he had an amazing year, along with us,” Smith said. “Nothing hurts more than being first loser.”
After leading 78 laps — the most among the competition and Championship 4 contenders — Brett Moffitt could not hold the lead and the late charge from Creed in NASCAR overtime.
Moffitt, the 2018 series champion, finished the race in 10th and third overall in the standings.
“I don’t have much good to say, finally got the setup right, couldn’t get the call right,” Moffitt said. “It’s frustrating to lose them like that… It’s been a frustrating year on-and-off the racetrack.”
For Grant Enfinger, who started on the pole, he led two laps and was lined up second on the final restart, but ultimately dropped to 13th overall and fourth on the championship grid.
“It’s been a great year, just didn’t work out tonight,” Enfinger said.
SOURCES
Racing-Reference.info
