Here is the thing about silly season in American stock car racing: it never truly sleeps. According to Motorsport.com, the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series championship leader is packing his bags, as Sheldon Creed has confirmed he will part ways with Haas Factory Team at the conclusion of the 2026 season. Neither of the squad's current pilots will return for 2027, with Sam Mayer already headed back to JR Motorsports from the No. 41 machine, and now Creed walking away from his post in the No. 00 car.
This wild development lands right in the middle of a stunning campaign. Creed is currently leading the championship standings for Haas on the back of a three-win season, making the exit a genuine surprise to the paddock. But instead of staying put, the 2020 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion is taking his talents to Sam Hunt Racing in a multi-year deal, where he will pilot the No. 26 Toyota Supra.
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,
Speaking at a press conference at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Creed pulled back the curtain on the decision with striking candor. "It was not my first choice to move on, but sometimes business dictates otherwise," Creed stated.
That business reality hands Sam Hunt Racing a massive coup. Sam Hunt, the owner and president of the operation, made no secret of what securing a driver of this caliber means for his growing squad. "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," Hunt said.
Creed brings a deeply traveled resume to his new home, having driven for Richard Childress Racing from 2022 to 2023, Joe Gibbs Racing in 2024, and joining Haas at the start of the 2025 season. Looking ahead to 2027, the driver is already mapping out the future alongside crew chief Kris Bowen. "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," Creed noted in a team statement.
Meanwhile, Haas Factory Team acknowledged the impending split while maintaining focus on the present. In an official statement, the organization thanked their star driver for his dedication and his three wins, adding that announcements regarding their 2027 driver lineup are yet to be determined while the No. 00 team pushes to close out the current championship strong.
