Sheldon Creed is tying a cutting‑edge brain‑tech partnership with Vielight for the O’Reilly Series at Pocono, putting a glowing red head‑strap on his No. 00 car and warming his skull nightly.
Vielight’s Technical Blueprint
The device, a lightweight strap that sits on the cranium, flashes red LEDs while a small emitter rests in the nostril. Creed, who first tried Vielight at home, says the system is “incredible technology” that “focuses on brain health.”
Peter Adams, Vielight’s vice president of sales and marketing, explains that the bracelet utilizes near‑infrared light— a wavelength that penetrates deep into the skull without damaging the surface. “If you use visible red or blue light the beam won’t reach the brain sufficiently,” Adams notes. Custom LED diodes feed the precise energy needed to activate nerve mitochondria and enhance cerebro‑vascular function.
Classified by the FDA as a general‑wellness device, Vielight positions its LEDs over the default mode network through the front of the head, and adds an extra diode behind the ear to target the cerebellum, a hub for motor control.
How the Light Targets the Brain
Near‑infrared therapy works at the cellular level, telling mitochondria— the cell’s powerhouses— to rebuild and repair. Adams stresses that this “fundamental level” influences the energy a brain cell produces, translating into sharper reaction times, speed, grip, and strength.
Recent research from the University of Utah, a placebo‑controlled trial spanning 16 weeks with Brigham Young University football players, found significant gains in reflexes and endurance when athletes used Vielight. These findings suggest the headset could offer a measurable edge for competitors in high‑intensity sports.
Performance Gains for Racer Creed
Creed, who began wearing the device last week, hopes it will curtail “brain fog” and sharpen focus for the entire race. “I want to see if it reduces brain fog or increases my focus for an entire race,” he told Motorsport.com. “I’m also interested in its post‑race recovery benefits.”
During the opening 12 races, Creed posted ten finishes inside the top 10 and six top‑5 spots, breaking his streak of 15 runner‑ups. Despite a recent drop to fourth in the standings after a series of incidents, Creed remains determined to reclaim a front‑row position for championship contention.
Season High‑Stakes at Pocono
Creed’s current points total sits 59 points behind Jesse Love for second and 42 points behind Corey Day for third— the gaps that determine next season’s starter positions. An additional four races remain before the points reset, so a strong Pocono performance is critical.
“We need to get back to second and we can’t fall lower than fourth because you need to be as close to Justin as possible when the points reset,” Creed added. He eyes a tight battle with both Love and Day to secure favorable seeding for the Chase.
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