Sheldon Creed Overcomes Mid-Race Adversity to Maintain Fourth in NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Standings

 

JOLIET, Ill. (July 5, 2026) — Sheldon Creed and the No. 00 Haas Factory Team Road Ranger Chevrolet showcased the speed of a championship contender Saturday night at Chicagoland Speedway, overcoming adversity to finish 16th while maintaining fourth place in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series championship standings.

After heavy rain washed out qualifying and delayed the start of the Cuervo 300 until nearly 10:00 p.m. ET, the field was set according to the NASCAR Rule Book, placing Creed eighth on the starting grid for NASCAR's first return to Chicagoland Speedway since 2019.

From the drop of the green flag, Creed wasted little time charging toward the front. Working together with Haas Factory Team teammate Sam Mayer, the duo drafted their way through traffic and quickly joined the battle with the race leaders. Strong corner exits allowed Creed to drive past Carson Kvapil and Brent Crews before settling into fifth place at the conclusion of Stage One, earning six valuable championship points.

Following another solid stop by the Haas Factory Team pit crew, Creed restarted fifth to begin Stage Two and immediately moved into fourth place. A handling issue during the middle portion of the stage briefly dropped him back through the field, but the California native never stopped fighting. On the final lap of the stage, Creed made a decisive pass on Corey Day to finish seventh and collect four more championship points.

An impressive pit stop before the final stage moved the No. 00 Road Ranger Chevrolet into fourth for the restart, positioning Creed to challenge for another podium finish. However, the race took an unexpected turn when a flat tire under green forced an unscheduled stop, costing the team a lap and dropping Creed deep in the running order.

The setback proved to be only another challenge for the Haas Factory Team.

A timely caution awarded Creed the free pass, putting him back on the lead lap. Restarting near the rear of the field, he methodically worked his way through traffic before taking advantage of another caution with 42 laps remaining to bolt on fresh tires for the closing sprint.

Despite multiple late-race restarts, Creed continued to charge through the field, crossing the finish line in 16th. While the finishing position failed to reflect the speed of the No. 00 Chevrolet, the combination of fifth-place points in Stage One and seventh-place points in Stage Two produced another productive championship night.

With the result, Creed remains fourth in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series championship standings heading into next weekend's event at EchoPark Speedway in Hampton, Georgia.

The upcoming race presents another tremendous opportunity for Creed and the Haas Factory Team. Earlier this season, Creed captured his first NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series victory at EchoPark Speedway, and he'll return looking to build on that success while continuing his championship pursuit.

About Sheldon Creed

Sheldon Creed is one of the most accomplished young drivers in American motorsports. The 2020 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Champion first built his reputation as one of the nation's premier off-road racers, earning multiple victories and X Games medals before transitioning to NASCAR. Driving the No. 00 Chevrolet for Haas Factory Team, Creed has established himself as one of the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series' top championship contenders and earned his first series victory earlier this season at EchoPark Speedway.

About Haas Factory Team

Haas Factory Team is one of NASCAR's premier organizations, competing across the sport's national touring series with a commitment to performance, innovation, and championship-caliber competition. Built on a foundation of engineering excellence and backed by world-class resources, Haas Factory Team continues to develop race-winning drivers while consistently contending at the front of the field.

About Road Ranger

Road Ranger is one of America's leading travel center chains, serving professional drivers and travelers with quality fuel, fresh food, convenience items, and exceptional customer service. Family-owned and proudly headquartered in Rockford, Illinois, Road Ranger operates locations across multiple states while continuing to expand its nationwide footprint. Through its partnership with Haas Factory Team and Sheldon Creed, Road Ranger proudly supports excellence both on and off the racetrack.

The NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series returns to action on Saturday, July 11, at EchoPark Speedway in Hampton, Georgia. Green flag for the Focused Health 250 is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET, where Creed will look to return to Victory Lane at the site of his breakthrough series win earlier this season.

Media Contact:
Rod Wortham
Race Face Brand Development
rod@racefacebd.com