Richard Childress Racing was looking good as the green flag flew for overtime at the NASCAR Xfinity Series Dead on Tools 250 at Martinsville Speedway on Saturday with the team’s drivers Austin Hill and Sheldon Creed both starting on the front row.
A win for either of the playoffs drivers in the two-lap shootout would put them through to the final at Phoenix next week, while Hill still had a chance to get in on points.
Creed announced earlier this month that he is leaving RCR at the end of the season, and the two raced the final laps like they were already on rival teams.
Hill came up the track into Creed in turn one and then Creed gave him a push into turn three and another into turn one on the final lap to open up a lane to pass.
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Hill hit Creed’s door coming out of turn two, but Creed stuck the pass. Then Creed came up the track exiting turn four and slowed down in front of Hill, who slammed into the back of Creed’s car and couldn’t finish the race as Justin Allgaier passed them both on the inside and beat Creed to the checkered flag.
Many from the RCR camp put the blame on Creed, with Richard Childress himself telling NBC Sports, ““I’ve had drivers drive for me before but nobody as stupid as Sheldon Creed.â€
Hill also had words for Creed during post-race interviews, and revealed during one that he will be going to Joe Gibbs Racing next season, which Creed hadn’t previously announced.
The results mean Sam Mayer, Allgaier, John Hunter Nemecheck and Cole Custer will be racing for the championship at Phoenix next Saturday.
The Cup Series Xfinity 500 on Sunday sees Christopher Bell and Kyle Larson already locked into the final with wins the past two weekends, while William Byron and Ryan Blaney will be looking to stay above the cutline ahead of Tyler Reddick, pole-sitter Martin Truex Jr., Denny Hamlin and Chris Buescher.