Sheldon Creed seized victory in a long final run at Darlington Raceway, taking the 2026 race with the No. 00 Haas Factory Team Chevrolet.
Race Overview
Allgaier dominated the first stage, but Creed clawed back on the final block of laps. A strategic pit stop on restarts and relentless pressure forced the Chase leader into a tailspin, opening a gap he never relinquished.
Stage winners: Allgaier (Stage 1), Alfredo (Stage 2), Creed (Stage 3). The early caution chain saw Rajah Caruth drop two laps after a mechanical failure, while a spin by Day scattered the field.
Key Moments
During the second stage, a high‑speed collision at the backstretch took Dye’s front‑right wing to the wall. Later, saw transitions of control in a multi‑car scramble on Turn 3: Day and Sawalich collided, sending Burton and Burton’s teammate bumping into Mason Maggio and Glen Reen for considerable damage.
Allgaier’s engine hiccups came during the final 20 laps, leading to an out‑of‑sequence pit stop that further tightened the chase standings.
Podium and Final Positions
Creed finished first, Corey Day second, and Brent Crews third. Sammy Smith finished fourth, Austin Hill fifth, with Anthony Alfredo, Taylor Gray, Sam Mayer, Jeremy Clements, and Brandon Jones completing the top ten.
Championship Implications
The win drops Creed to a seven‑point deficit behind Justin Allgaier, who finished 17th. With the 2026 Chase now open, Creed remarks, “I didn’t feel happy with the first run, but the team worked through it. I’m optimistic we can keep this momentum.”
Allgaier’s current lead remains intact, but Creed’s performance signals a rising challenge in the Chase.
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