Christopher Bell wins at Darlington in overtime, Sheldon Creed heartbroken once again
On a hot afternoon in Darlington, South Carolina, Christopher Bell wins in overtime and Sheldon Creed goes home heartbroken once more. Creed has found every possible way it seems to lose a NASCAR race.
Christopher Bell went down to Sheldon Creed with 9 laps to go. But a late caution would send the race into overtime and throw Creed and his team for a loop.
With a better pit stop, Bell came out of the caution with the lead. Cole Custer was right there as well. Even though Creed had a great car, it was built for long runs, not overtime sprints.
Bell steals one at Darlington, and Creed goes home wondering what he could have done differently.
Christopher Bell has won both of his Xfinity Series starts this season. He swept the weekend at New Hampshire and now has a chance to do it at Darlington. Bell also picked up his first-ever win at Darlington, regardless of series.
It all happened at the expense of Sheldon Creed. For the sixth time this season, Creed comes home with a P3 or P2 finish. It has not culminated in a win, though. In fact, he has been in the top-5 of 7 of the last 10 races on the schedule. He won two pole awards during that time as well.
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Creed had the lead over Christopher Bell with 9 laps to go. Then, the caution came out.
Christopher Bell gets the better pit stop
Earlier in the race, Sheldon Creed’s pit crew threw down two of the fastest stops of the day. They just couldn’t do it a third time. It is tough for not just Creed, but Joe Gibbs Racing as well.
Speaking of Joe Gibbs, one has to wonder if this 20 car is more harm than good for not just the Xfinity Series as a whole, but for JGR’s four full-time cars. The part-time car has won seven races this season with an all-star roster of drivers.
Creed finished P2 to Bell at New Hampshire. But it isn’t just Creed losing out on wins because of this all-star car. Teammate Chandler Smith has finished P2 to the 20 car twice this season, Nashville and Daytona.
This race came down to the final pit stop, plain and simple. Christopher Bell was given an edge in overtime, had fresh tires, and he refused to give the lead up to anyone for the rest of the race. Can he sweep the weekend?