Sam Hunt Racing (SHR) has hired Sheldon Creed, the current championship leader in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, to take over the No. 26 Toyota GR Supra beginning in 2027, the team confirmed Saturday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
The Alpine, California-native will take over the seat of the organization’s flagship NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series entry starting next February at Daytona International Speedway, replacing Dean Thompson, who moves to Haas Factory Team (Creed’s former team).
“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 been competing full-time in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series since 2022, making a total of 163 career starts between several organizations over the years, like Richard Childress Racing, Joe Gibbs Racing, and most-recently, Haas Factory Team.
“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.”
This February, after a number of second-place finishes in the O’Reilly Series, Creed finally broke through with his first career victory at EchoPark Speedway in an exciting finish. Then, when the Chase began, the 29-year-old driver came to life – winning at Darlington Raceway, finishing runner-up at World Wide Technology Raceway, and winning again at Bristol Motor Speedway – to take the points lead.
A move to Sam Hunt Racing, though, marks the start of an interesting journey for Creed, who will look to bring the two-car Toyota-backed operation to Victory Lane for the first time in their eight seasons running in the O’Reilly Series – collecting a best-finish of third-place twice, once at Richmond in 2021 with John Hunter Nemechek and again at Iowa in 2024 with Corey Heim.
“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 No. 24 Toyota GR Supra and additional driver and team partnerships will be announced at a later date.
