DARLINGTON, S.C. – In a battle between Sheldon Creed and John Hunter Nemechek for most of the race, it was Creed that prevailed in Sunday’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series In It To Win It 200 at Darlington Raceway.
It was Creed’s second-straight win at the 1.366-mile egg-shaped oval and his second victory in as many races during the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series playoffs.
Creed also won the playoff opener at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway on Aug. 20. It was Creed’s eighth Camping World Truck Series victory.
RESULTS: In It To Win It 200
“What a way to open the playoffs,” Creed said. “I started off the day really lose, but the pit crew worked on it. I love Josh Wise’s notes. I remember everything he told me about what to do.
“This one is for the 13 families that lost members in the (military) service last week. It’s the price we pay for our freedom.
“It feels good to have back-to-back wins. I’m just trying to enjoy this. I was super serious last year, and it was fun, but I want to remember more of this, this year.”
Creed led 105 laps during the 147-lap race after starting on the pole. He also won stage two of Sunday’s race. Creed led the last 80 laps.
Nemechek led 39 laps and has advanced into the next round based on points. The next Truck race is at Bristol Motor Speedway in two weeks.
“At least we clinched our way into the next round, and that helps, but we want to win as much as possible,” Nemechek said.
Stewart Friesen used a tire gamble during the final caution period to rally through the field and finish third. He was followed by Todd Gilliland and Parker Kligerman.
“It’s awesome to start this whole deal and get it rolling like we have here,” Friesen said. “I got caught up in lapped traffic, but it’s a big points day for us.”
The final caution flag of the race came on lap 106 when Derek Kraus made contact with Lawless Alan, who spin into the turn three wall. The green flag waved for the final time on lap 111, with Creed leading the entire way.
“I’ve been trying to stay really low key and have fun with it,” Creed said. “Last year, I was nervous in all of the races. I was thinking about the unknowns. In stage two, the Truck was loose, and I got it a little free at the end.
“We have better trucks and have been working towards this. At Pocono, we were really fast all day. I had a really good run at the road course before the Playoffs started. We’re building momentum and have trucks that are better and that makes the trucks easier to run.”
Creed indicated “there is good stuff coming for next season,” but he’s “not going to tell.”
“I’m just trying to have fun this year and not even think about it,” Creed said. “I came in with nothing to lose and trying to do my job as best I can and set myself up for next year.
“I think we can go to Bristol with a good truck, and I think we can win at Bristol. I love the next two tracks coming up, Bristol and Vegas. I just need to get through the next four and have another shot for it at Phoenix.”
Creed leads the playoff points with 2,128 followed by Nemechek, who is two points back. They’re followed by Matt Crafton, Friesen, Ben Rhodes, Todd Gilliland, Carson Hocevar and Austin Hill.
Those currently in danger of being eliminated from the playoffs are Zane Smith, who is three points below the cutline, and Chandler Smith, who is 13 points below the cutline.
The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race was the first race of a Sunday doubleheader. The NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs kicks off with the Cookout Southern 500 with the NBCSN telecast beginning at 6 pm. Eastern Time and the green flag set for 6:18 p.m. ET.