SHELDON CREED BATTLES BACK AT CHARLOTTE, RETAINS CHAMPIONSHIP LEAD

Third-place finish keeps Haas Factory Team driver atop NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series standings with four races remaining

CONCORD, N.C. (October 12, 2026) — Sheldon Creed turned adversity into another impressive performance Sunday night at Charlotte Motor Speedway, overcoming early damage to finish third in the Blue Cross NC 300 and maintain his lead in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series championship standings.

Driving the No. 00 Ollie's Chevrolet for Haas Factory Team, Creed battled back from an early setback to secure his 13th top-five finish of the season, leaving Charlotte with a two-point advantage over defending series champion Jesse Love as the championship battle heads into its final four races.

Originally scheduled for Saturday, the 300-mile event was postponed until Sunday evening due to weather. Creed started eighth on Charlotte's 1.5-mile oval, but his evening quickly got tougher after contact with the outside wall damaged his Chevrolet and forced the team to make repairs under caution.

The setback dropped Creed down the running order, leaving him 21st at the conclusion of Stage 1 and outside the stage-points positions.

Rather than letting the early damage define his night, Creed and the Haas Factory Team got to work.

With adjustments and repairs complete, Creed steadily worked his way back through the field, recovered to finish 10th in Stage 2, and took a valuable championship point.

As the final stage unfolded, Creed kept pushing toward the front, showing the determination and consistency that have made him the championship leader.

While Corey Day, Jesse Love, and Justin Allgaier battled for the win, Creed stayed focused on gaining every possible position.

That determination paid off on the final lap.

With Allgaier ahead, Creed made a decisive move to take third, completing an impressive recovery that began with a damaged race car and a 21st-place finish in the opening stage.

Corey Day won, with Love second and Creed third.

The podium finish marked Creed's 13th top-five and 20th top-10 result of the 2026 season, reinforcing the consistency that has kept the No. 00 team at the top of the championship standings.

Championship Battle Reaches Critical Stage

With five of the nine Chase races complete, Creed leads the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series championship standings with 2,294 points.

However, the competition is closing in.

Defending champion Jesse Love sits just two points behind with 2,292, while Charlotte winner Corey Day is third with 2,287 points, only seven behind Creed. Justin Allgaier remains firmly in contention in fourth with 2,279 points, 15 back.

The narrow margin among the top four drivers illustrates just how competitive the championship battle has become.

For Creed, the third-place finish at Charlotte represented more than another podium result. After falling outside the top 20 early in the race, he recovered and gained positions in the closing laps, helping preserve the championship lead.

With no elimination rounds in the nine-race Chase, the championship will be determined by accumulated points through the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Every position matters, making Creed's final-lap pass at Charlotte especially valuable.

Creed has already shown he can win under championship pressure, collecting two victories in the first three races of the Chase. With four races remaining, the focus shifts to maintaining that consistency and protecting his narrow advantage.

Next Stop: Phoenix Raceway

Creed and the No. 00 Haas Factory Team Chevrolet will return to action Saturday, October 17, for the Timberland PRO 200 at Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Arizona.

The 200-mile event is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET, with television coverage on The CW and additional coverage on ESPN Unlimited, MRN Radio, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

Phoenix begins the final four-race stretch of the season, followed by Talladega Superspeedway, Martinsville Speedway, and the November 7 championship finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

With the championship lead down to just two points, Creed and the Haas Factory Team enter Phoenix knowing every lap, every stage point, and every finishing position could help determine the 2026 champion.

About Sheldon Creed

Sheldon Creed, a native of El Cajon, California, is an accomplished NASCAR competitor and former champion in multiple national racing series. Creed captured the 2018 ARCA Racing Series championship before winning the 2020 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship. In 2026, he competes in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series driving the No. 00 Chevrolet for Haas Factory Team, working alongside crew chief Jonathan Toney. Known for his aggressive driving style and competitive determination, Creed continues to pursue another national championship while building on an already successful racing career.

About Haas Factory Team

Haas Factory Team is a NASCAR racing organization competing in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series. Building on the racing legacy established by Gene Haas, the organization is committed to competing at NASCAR's highest levels through engineering, teamwork, and driver development. Sheldon Creed pilots the No. 00 Chevrolet, with Ollie's serving as the primary partner for the Charlotte Motor Speedway event.

About Ollie's Bargain Outlet

Ollie's Bargain Outlet is one of America's largest retailers of closeout merchandise and excess inventory, offering customers brand-name products at deeply discounted prices. Founded in 1982 and headquartered in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Ollie's operates hundreds of stores across the United States and offers everything from housewares and food to flooring, books, toys, and seasonal merchandise. Known for its signature slogan, "Good Stuff Cheap," Ollie's has built a loyal customer following by delivering exceptional value and a unique treasure-hunt shopping experience. Ollie's proudly supports motorsports through its partnership with Sheldon Creed and the No. 00 Haas Factory Team Chevrolet in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series.

For more information, visit www.ollies.com.

About Friends of Jaclyn Foundation

The Friends of Jaclyn Foundation (FOJ), founded by Denis Murphy, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for children and young adults battling pediatric cancer and other serious illnesses. Through its signature adoption program, FOJ connects children and their families with sports teams, creating lasting relationships that provide friendship, encouragement, and support beyond the playing field. Sheldon Creed proudly supports the foundation and its mission of making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families facing extraordinary challenges.

For more information, visit www.friendsofjaclyn.org.

Media Contact

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