Sam Hunt Racing (SHR) announces today that the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (NOAPS) points leader, Sheldon Creed, will take over the team’s No. 26 GR Supra entry with a multi-year deal beginning in 2027. Creed, the series’ most recent winner at Bristol Motor Speedway, began his NOAPS career in 2017 and has since collected three wins, 47 top-five finishes and 87 top-10’s across 163 starts.
“Today marks one of the most fulfilling announcements I’ve had the pleasure of making since founding SHR,” said Sam Hunt, Owner and President of Sam Hunt Racing. “Sheldon fits every category I look for in a driver that can build a scrappy race team into its future; talent, experience, personality, and most importantly – who he is as a human. He’s a racer in the purest form, a winner, and a rockstar husband, father, and friend.”
Creed has a unique background in how he landed in one of the world’s top stock car racing series. As a young kid from El Cajon, California, Creed began a motorsports career on two wheels. From his start at the age of 3 on a BMX bicycle, his fierce passion for competition and racing continued to grow as he moved up the ranks. At age six, he began competing in motocross, capturing two championships. Then he began a career on four wheels. Creed quickly began stacking up wins and championships in the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series, including 25 wins and five championships. Later he captured two Stadium Super Truck Series championships, and today Creed still holds the record for most wins in series history of 39.
In 2016, Creed began NASCAR Regional and NASCAR National Series career. Between 2016 and 2022, Creed captured the 2020 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series title, eight wins, 23 top-five and 37 top-10 finishes across 76 races.
“I couldn’t be more excited to join Sam Hunt Racing in 2027 and to chase trophies alongside Kris Bowen as my crew chief. I’ve known Sam for several years and have watched SHR grow first-hand, so it’s special to put my name above the door and to be able to also call it home,” said Sheldon Creed. “Each year SHR continues to make strides, and I’m thankful for the opportunity to continue to help grow the organization. Currently, I’m focused on winning a championship with Haas Factory Team and closing the season out strong but am thrilled to have my plans locked in for next year and into the future with a quality group of people.”
Sam Hunt Racing has been competing in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series since its debut in the 2019 season finale. 2026 marked the first time the organization had two full-time drivers, a testament to Sam Hunt’s intentional progression of growth within the organization. Throughout eight years of competition and 284 overall race entries, SHR has gathered 13 top-five and 43 top-10 finishes with 73 laps led.
“This move is years in the making, and I’m proud to be able to sign Sheldon to a deal that allows him to grow both on and off the track. We’re grateful to the partners that have helped make this happen, as well as the continued support from Toyota Racing and TRD. We look forward to watching Sheldon and his team compete for a championship this fall and wish them nothing but the best in these final six races,” said Hunt.
Information regarding the team’s 24 entry as well as all team and driver partnerships will be announced at a later time.
The 2027 season will kick off for 300 miles at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, February 20th. All NASCAR O’Reilly Series races will be broadcast on the CW Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90.
— Sam Hunt Racing —