Defending NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Sheldon Creed drove to victory lane in an unsponsored machine at Darlington Raceway
Sheldon Creed enters the 2021 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season as the defending series champion. On Friday, the team picked up their first win of the season.
The win came in an unsponsored truck. The paint scheme featured a ‘Team GMS Racing’ logo shaped like the ‘ASE’ logo which was a throwback to Jason Leffler’s 2002 ASE scheme.
The defending champs have run primary sponsorship from Overton’s, Chevrolet Accessories, LA Plumbers & Pipefitters and Camping World in 2021. Beyond that, the truck has also entered many races un-sponsored, in an all-white machine.
Marcus Lemonis, the CEO of Camping World has sponsored near countless trucks. Not only does he sponsor the series, this year, he’s put in effort to sponsor many unsponsored machines, typically toward the back of the field. He’s increased the health of the division for many small teams.
He’s also offered up bonus money of $100,000 for any team that wins while running a Camping World paint scheme.
Marcus Lemonis stated, “I have offered money since week one. 41 trucks have had it. When they finish last I don’t mind, when they finish first I pay more. Not sure.”
Related: Darlington Race Results – May 7, 2021 (NASCAR Truck Series)
Marcus Lemonis and Sheldon Creed
Earlier in the year, GMS Racing did run a Camping World Truck Series paint scheme at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. However, they elected not to do it for Darlington. Instead, the team entered the race in an un-sponsored throwback.
Had Creed taken a $15,000 sponsorship (at minimum), they could have net $115,000 following Darlington Raceway, just in sponsorship income. And, Lemonis tried…
Marcus Lemonis: “I’ve offered to help.”
Sheldon Creed: “We are worth more than 15k”
Following the comment, multiple fans commented on the post. Lemonis took time to respond to many, adding more detail to the comments above.
Marcus Lemonis: “Unprofessional… and people wonder why they are un-sponsored.”
“It was unprofessional. Period.”
“He didn’t mind it earlier in the season.”
“GMS Racing is a great team with good drivers. They know what they are doing.”
“Imagine being a driver and being happy to race , and also get paid. These men and women work their whole life to do this. My fuel is to make sure all get a chance. That’s what #unsponsored could feel like”
Marcus Lemonis added, “He’s a nice young man and is going no where but up.”
Links
Sheldon Creed | GMS Racing | Marcus Lemonis | Camping World | Darlington Raceway | NASCAR
