On Wednesday, both Richard Childress Racing and Sheldon Creed announced that the two would not be pairing up for the 2024 season. This surprising bit of news seemingly came out of nowhere, as many assumed Creed would return for a third season in the RCR 2 car. Instead, Creed will be leaving the team as RCR will fill that seat with a new driver. An interesting piece of this news is that Whelen will remain the sponsor of the 2 car. Per Sheldon Creed’s statement, it appears that he already has a ride lined up for next season. That leaves a big question: where does Sheldon Creed drive in 2024?
So far in his NASCAR career, Sheldon Creed has flashed potential. In his three fulltime seasons in trucks (2019-2021), Creed won 8 times over 68 starts. Along with the wins, Creed made the playoffs each season and accumulated 22 Top-5s plus a championship. The 2020 Truck Series champion is still regarded a top prospect in the NASCAR system. However, Creed’s stock has fallen since his departure from the Craftsman Truck Series. His time with RCR has been a disappointment. When Creed and Austin Hill were called up to the Xfinity Series, many expected Creed to be the star driver. Instead, Hill has been impressive while Creed is still searching for his first win. In 62 starts, Creed has 9 Top-5s and 26 Top-10s. Understandably, the hype has cooled.
The Money Question
Since Sheldon Creed apparently has his 2024 ride lined up, the question of his funding has seemingly been answered. However, it is still the largest question surrounding the young driver. Creed’s Xfinity Series sponsor is remaining with the 2 team. Whelen has been his lone primary sponsor in 2023, so it begs to question where his funding will be coming from next year. Remembering back to his time in the Truck Series, Creed did not bring a lot of funding with him. Despite winning the 2020 championship, Creed’s truck in the second race of the 2021 season was blank. Most of Creed’s primary sponsors during that season was Chevy or LiftKits4Less.com.
In his young NASCAR career, Sheldon Creed has seemingly lacked a significant financial backer. When he was with RCR, it did not matter since RCR had team based sponsors to held fund Creed. Unless Creed has lined up new financial backing, that limits the places he can land. While there are plenty of teams who have team based sponsors, there are other teams who need the driver to bring money along with him. Now, Creed is surely still considered enough of a prospect to be worth some financial strain. However, the financial question still lingers until more in known.
A Promotion?
Despite Sheldon Creed’s disappointing Xfinity Series career (thus far), many wonder if a Cup Series promotion is Creed’s next step. At the moment, there are still two notable seats that are in question for 2024: SHR 10 and Kaulig 16. It is doubtful that Creed will be heading to the 10.
As for Kaulig’s 16, there are plenty of fans who are opining that Creed could replace AJ Allmendinger. Reports have it that Allmendinger will be returning to the Xfinity Series next year. In addition to that, Chandler Smith is rumored to be in discussions with Joe Gibbs Racing for one of their Xfinity cars. After Daniel Hemric was already tabbed to drive the 31, that leaves few options for the 16 Cup car. While the usual suspects have been floated as possibilities (Ty Dillon and Noah Gragson), the news of Sheldon Creed leaving RCR has added a new name to the mix.
While the speculation is interesting, it is doubtful that the Cup Kaulig 16 is where Sheldon Creed will end up. The main reason is simple: money. AJ Allmendinger going to the Xfinity Series seems to be a financial decision rather than a racing one. Justin Haley went to Rick Ware Racing due to financial reasons. If Kaulig is going to let both of those drivers leave their Cup rides, why would they replace them with a less-proven driver with no significant financial backing?
Plethora of Xfinity Series Options
More than likely, Sheldon Creed will be switching teams within the Xfinity Series. Outside of JR Motorsports, every team has at least one open/nonconfirmed seat for the 2024 season.
Kaulig Racing
While the likelihood of Sheldon Creed going to join Kaulig Racing in Cup is low, there is a better chance that one of their Xfinity rides could be Creed’s home next season. There are currently two open seats with the 10 and 11. Whether reports are true or not, either Chandler Smith or AJ Allmendinger will be in the 16 car. Creed could be a fit for either of other two. The financial question is still there, but running a Xfinity Series car is cheaper than Cup. Kaulig likely has enough team sponsors to help carry Creed financially.
With that said, Kaulig Racing and RCR have a close alliance. Would Creed depart one for the other to remain in the same series?
Joe Gibbs Racing
In the most surprisingly development in the Xfinity Series silly season, Joe Gibbs Racing does not have a fulltime driver signed for the 2024 season yet. John Hunter Nemechek is going to Legacy Motor Club while Sammy Smith is the second driver in two years to leave for JR Motorsports. Ryan Truex has announced he will be driving some races in the 19 car next year, but that is not fulltime.
Much like Kaulig, JGR has enough team sponsors to bring in a driver like Sheldon Creed. If JGR wants to have at least two fulltime drivers next year, there are worse options than Creed. Within the TRD tree, Corey Heim is the only Truck Series driver who has shown that he is ready for the next level. Jesse Love theoretically could skip the Truck Series, but that would be a stretch. For Creed, this would be a good move for him. If he felt like he was stagnating with Chevy and RCR, why not go to the best competition?
AM Racing
AM Racing recently announced Hailie Deegan would be piloting the 15 car for them in 2024. In reports, their hope is to run two fulltime teams. Brett Moffitt currently pilots their 25 car. Nothing has been announced about a Moffitt return, which means the 25 car could be up for grabs. If money is a problem, Brett Moffitt ran the entire season and he is known for losing ride due to funding. Young teams normally try to maintain some continuity to help the development of the team. With a second fulltime team, bringing Moffitt back might be best for AM Racing.
However, the addition of Hailie Deegan seems to indicate that AM Racing is going to be a Ford development team. Brett Moffitt would not be considered a prospect at this point in his career. While the veteran guidance might be beneficial to Deegan, the potential of snatching Creed for a diminished farm system might be on Ford’s agenda.
Stewart-Haas Racing
During the writing of this article, Stewart-Haas Racing announced Riley Herbst will be returning to the 98 team next season. With Herbst returning, the question becomes about the 00. If Cole Custer is still running in the Xfinity Series, then there is no open seat at SHR. However, if Custer gets the bump back up to the Cup Series, the question becomes whether the 00 remains a team. It seems highly unlikely that SHR will be bringing in a new Xfinity Series driver for the 2024 though.
Sam Hunt Racing
If JGR is not an option, Sam Hunt Racing could be an alternative if Sheldon Creed joins Toyota. Currently, the team has two fulltime cars. Kaz Grala is the only fulltime driver while Connor Mosack has made most of the starts in the 24 car. Mosack will likely land a fulltime ride with a TRD team, whether it is Sam Hunt Racing or JGR is the question. Meanwhile, Grala has been a solid driver for the 26 team. It would be surprising to see the pair split, but stranger things have happened this silly season.
The Field
As mentioned earlier, every Xfinity Series team either has an opening or has not announced plans for next season. Alpha Prime Racing, Jordan Anderson Racing, and RSS Racing all run fulltime drivers and fall into that category. Alpha Prime and RSS Racing would be a stepdown for Creed. That does not eliminate them from being a possibility, but other teams would seem more likely.
Meanwhile, Jordan Anderson Racing could be a landing spot. However, Jeb Burton probably will return if he wants. Parker Retzlaff hinted that he signed somewhere on social media. Could he be returning to his current? There have been nothing to indicate anything else but it is still an unknown right now.
Another possibility is that Sheldon Creed goes back to the Craftsman Truck Series. There are plenty of top caliber rides down there. If Creed does not think an available Xfinity Series ride fits his needs, a return to the trucks could see him bolster up his portfolio again. A strong Craftsman Truck Series season could get teams more excited for Creed than right now.
Where Does Sheldon Creed Sign?
Based on the limited information available, it is difficult to pick exactly where Sheldon Creed will sign. While a return to the Craftsman Truck Series cannot be written off, it would be a surprising decision. A Cup Series promotion does not seem to make sense at this time, whether for financial or performance reasons. That leaves the entire (minus JRM) Xfinity Series roster as Creed’s options.
If the Bob Pockrass feeling is to be believed, Kaulig Racing does not seem to be a viable option. Other Chevy teams might be a logical landing spot since Creed is a Chevy development driver. However, if Creed wants to switch manufacturers, Toyota would be the best choice at this moment. With the openings at Joe Gibbs Racing, Sheldon Creed in the 18 or 20 next year seems to fit. Could that prediction be wrong? Absolutely. However, in this attempt to read the tea leaves, JGR and Sheldon Creed seems like the most appropriate pairing.
