Sheldon Creed releases statement following 2024 release from RCR: 'We have decided to leave'

While we likely won’t know for sure, it sounds like Sheldon Creed and his group left Richard Childress Racing, not the other way around. Creed released a statement of his own last night. It sounds like he has another NASCAR opportunity around the corner.

Sheldon Creed is still in a playoff battle right now. He sits in seventh. However, he and his team felt it was time to announce the news for 2024. Creed is out of the No. 2 car and there has not been an announcement for who it will be at this time.

It is a strange move. John Hunter Nemechek and Josh Berry are moving up to the Cup Series next year. Chandler Smith apparently wants to go back to Joe Gibbs Racing. Sammy Smith jumped to JR Motorsports and took all his sponsorships with him.

So, it sounds like Sheldon Creed has another ride lined up. Here is what he had to say following the statement from Richard Childress Racing.

“We have decided to leave Richard Childress Racing at the end of the 2023 Xfinity season,” Creed wrote. “RCR and Whelen gave me my first opportunity out of the truck series, and although we haven’t gone out and won all the races we would’ve wish to, I’ll be forever grateful for the friendships, hard work, learning, and growing we have done. Additionally, I can’t thank Whelen enough for their never ending support of me and our team. Extremely excited to share my 2024 plans with you all soon.”

4 races left to end on a high note with my 2 guys! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/1RU6L6Att2

— Sheldon Creed (@sheldoncreed) October 11, 2023

So, what is next for Sheldon Creed?

Sheldon Creed has shown promise, but hasn’t broken through

The thing with Creed is this, he doesn’t have a win. He is a Truck Series champion. However, that hasn’t translated over to the Xfinity Series. Last year in his first full-time season at 25 years old in the series, Creed finished 14th overall. Four top-5 finishes that season.

This year, he has gotten more consistent, but it hasn’t translated to wins. Five top-5s this season and they were all top-3 finishes including two runner-ups at Watkins Glen and Daytona.

So, it feels like it is just about to happen. Four races left in the season. Creed was second at Homestead-Miami just a year ago. This should be a good round for him. With drivers like Austin Hill, Sam Mayer, Cole Custer, and John Hunter Nemechek, it will be difficult. Still, he has a chance to make it happen before he leaves RCR.

A lot of people see this as a way for Ty Dillon to get a good ride after losing his spot at Spire Motorsports to Carson Hocevar. That doesn’t seem to be the case. I’m not sure who is heading to the No. 2 but there are plenty of options out there. That includes a guy like Noah Gragson, although he has been rumored for every job that has come open. So, who knows which team will take the chance?

For now, it’s all speculation. Although I think we will find out where Sheldon Creed is going and who is replacing him at RCR soon enough.