Sheldon Creed and Austin Hill made contact while battling for the win at Martinsville Speedway; Both lost and both were eliminated from the Playoffs
On Saturday night, the NASCAR Xfinity Series raced at Martinsville Speedway. The race was the final elimination round before the championship race next week at Phoenix Raceway.
Watch the videos below.
Richard Childress Racing teammates Sheldon Creed and Austin Hill found themselves on the front row for the final restart. Creed was in a must-win scenario to advance to the championship race.
As they went green, Hill missed the bottom into turn one. He ran into the door of Creed. Hill popped out with the lead off turn two.
As they entered turn three, Creed tucked in behind Hill and lined up his rear bumper. Hill was moved up the track. Creed worked under in turn four.
Hill was able to clear him off turn four. As they returned to turn one on the final lap, Creed put the bumper to Hill once more. This time, Hill got loose and Creed noses ahead off turn four.
As they entered the final corner, Creed drove it deep to the inside. He cleared Hill but slid up and stomped the brakes to make the corner.
As he did, Hill drove into the bumper of Creed. Hill lost momentum and John Hunter Nemechek got into the bumper of Hill, sending him spinning just a few hundred feet short of the finish line.
At the same time, Allgaier worked under Creed. Allgaier and Creed ran side by side to the finish line, Allgaier took the win, by inches.
With the win, Allgaier advances into the championship battle. Both RCR teammates, Creed and Hill are eliminated.
Hill drove his mangled machine across the finish line. As he climbed from the car, he walked passed the pit box of the No. 2 team and gave them a dramatic slow clap.
Andy Petree confronts Sheldon Creed
After the race, Andy Petree walked to Sheldon Creed and began yelling. He said a few words and quickly walked away.
“If he touched me, you guys wouldn’t have said shit,” Sheldon Creed responded to Andy Petree.
Petree is the VP of Competition at Richard Childress Racing.
Sheldon Creed is set to exit Richard Childress Racing at the end of this season. He’s driven for the team full time in 2022 and 2023.
Sheldon Creed exits Richard Childress Racing
Austin Hill comments
“I spun the tires a little bit and I overdrove my entry into [turn] one,” Austin Hill told NBC Sports.
“The No. 20 went low. I didn’t know for sure if he had a run. So, it wasn’t cool for me to do what I did into one. Driving him up the racetrack.”
“But, I still kinda stayed off of him. He just did not give me a chance getting into three. Then, he didn’t give me a chance getting into one, just shoved me.”
“I know he’s in a must win situation, but still. Just, uncalled for. For that to happen, then neither of the RCR guys make it to the final 4. It’s just frustrating.”
“I’m excited for him to go to his next adventure at Gibbs. I don’t have to put up with him no more.”
A deal with Sheldon Creed for 2024 was not announced. It appears Hill just leaked that information.
“I can have Jesse Love as my teammate. Hopefully, he races me better.”
“Right there, in the middle of three and four, I don’t know what he was doing. He like parked it in the middle of the corner. I blew the radiator right then and had no power off the corner.”
Jesse Love signs with Richard Childress Racing
Hill continues
He just drives over his head, he always has,” Hill told Noah Lewis.
Hill later added via X, “The only thing I’m going to say about the situation is Sheldon Creed had every right to move me up the track. The problem I have is watching the replay he completely stops in the middle of the corner causing me to get all the damage. If he doesn’t overslow the middle he wins. lol”
Hill and Creed have developed a history in recent weeks. Creed spun Hill at Bristol Motor Speedway but he took blame in the incident.
Sheldon Creed crashes teammate Austin Hill at Bristol (Video)
Sheldon Creed comments
“I don’t like racing that way and that seams to be the way this race always plays out,” Sheldon Creed stated after the race.
“I beat him on the restart and gave him plenty of room. He just throttles up into my door.”
“I had my opportunity to shove him up off the bottom. Then, did it again into turn one.”
“Thought we had it there at the checkered. Not proud of racing like that.”
“But, a shot at the championship 4. I didn’t blast him. I feel like I played pretty fair for the situation.”
“He’s going to be mad. But, it’s for a championship 4 spot. I wanted to fight for my guys, all the way to the end.”
“If I wanted to guarantee myself a win, I do what Ty did last year and I spin him out into turn one. Then, I’m not worried about him at all.”
“I move him up off the bottom enough to have a fighting shot. He has a fighting shot, I can;t control the No. 20 spinning him out.”
“Frustrating to go out like that, but proud of everyone.
Martinsville Results: October 28, 2023 (NASCAR Xfinity Series)
Andy Petree confronts Sheldon Creed
Austin Hill vs Sheldon Creed
Martinsville Speedway
Video
Links
Sheldon Creed | Austin Hill | Martinsville Speedway | NASCAR
