RPW Exclusive: Sheldon Creed Was Headed To OCFS To Run A Truck Match Race; Why Not Hop In A Big Block?

Column By: DYLAN FRIEBEL / RPW – MIDDLETOWN, NY – Fans have been hearing for a couple weeks now about the “rematch” between Stewart Friesen and Sheldon Creed with their NASCAR Truck Series Chevrolets that will be taking place on Saturday night at the Orange County Fair Speedway as part of the Centennial Weekend festivities.  However, why let Creed’s fun stop there?

On Friday night, Creed jumped into on of the Halmar International Big Block Modifieds to try and qualify for the night’s main event, and plans to do the same on Saturday for the big $100K-to-win race.

The night began with just seat time for the 21-year-old driver who competes on the Truck Series for GMS Racing.  He looked to understand the idea of dirt well.  However, things quickly turn sour as a wreck on lap one of his heat brought him pit side on the hook.

That regulated him to the back on one of the Last Chance Qualifiers and he did not transfer to the feature event.  However, it was nothing but smiles for the young man.

“This deal came together really quick,” Creed said.  “I planned to come here and run the exhibition with my NASCAR Truck against Stewart (Friesen).  Then, I got asked if i wanted to race a Big Block Modified and I said hell yea.”

Despite being an asphalt racer, Creed has had some experiences on dirt.

“I’ve run a mini sprint a few times,” he said.  “I actually grew up racing off road in the dirt.  I’ve raced a Modified before, but it was nothing like a Big Block.  It was a Modified Stock and some Dwarf car stuff in the dirt…nothing like this.”

Has he leaned on his Truck Series counterpart for advice?

Stewart hasn’t really given me much,” he said with a smaile.  “He just kind of told me to keep it straight, use throttle control and have some drive.”

Despite being a ‘rookie,’ so to speak, Friday at Orange County, it is a breath of fresh air to see the competitors that Stewart Friesen races with on a weekly basis on the National level, such as Sheldon Creed, take an interest in what we are doing here in the Northeast on dirt.