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Sheldon Creed and Brennan Poole Involved in Dramatic Crash at Bristol
During the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway, Sheldon Creed was aiming to improve his position from 15th place when an incident unfolded that dramatically changed the course of the race. After 74 laps, Creed was hit from behind by Dean Thompson, causing him to spin out and halt sideways at the exit of Turn 4.
While most drivers managed to dodge the stationary vehicle, Brennan Poole, who was vying for the Dash 4 Cash bonus alongside Creed and two other competitors, was unable to avoid a collision. In a desperate maneuver to evade Creed’s car, Poole swerved but made contact, colliding with the front of Creed’s vehicle. The impact was intense, leading to significant damage as the right-side door of Poole’s No. 44 Chevrolet was ripped off, scattering safety foam across the track. The axle was also dislodged, leaving the right rear wheel still attached to the suspension on the racing surface.
Sheldon Creed, Haas Factory Team Ford
Photo by: Sean Gardner / Getty Images
Creed exited his damaged car and was seen clapping sarcastically towards Thompson while debris from his Haas Factory Team Ford rolled away before crashing into the wall. The resulting chaos necessitated a cleanup, leading to a 14-minute red flag in the race. Meanwhile, Justin Allgaier and Austin Hill remained as the two drivers still eligible for the $100,000 Dash 4 Cash prize.
Fortunately, both Creed and Poole reported feeling fine following the incident. Creed noted that he had momentarily lost his breath but was otherwise unharmed. “I’m fortunate to be okay and ready to come back stronger next week,” he remarked about the early stage incident. Elaborating further, he mentioned his attempts to adjust his racing line based on how other drivers were managing the corners, indicating his frustration at being taken out so early in the race.
Drivers Share Their Thoughts on the Collision
Poole also provided insight into the sequence of events leading to the crash. He described being in the top lane when his spotter advised him to slow down. Poole expressed regret that both he and Creed, competitors for the Dash 4 Cash, were caught up in the collision. “Everything happened so quickly, and with the banking, my visibility was limited. It’s just unfortunate,” he shared, reflecting on the rapid pace of the race and the challenges of navigating such a chaotic moment.
Brennan Poole’s damaged No. 44 Alpha Prime Chevrolet
Photo by: Sean Gardner / Getty Images
The incident underscores the inherent risks of racing at high speeds on a challenging track like Bristol, where visibility and split-second decision-making are critical. As the drivers recover from this incident, attention will now shift to the upcoming races, where they aim to apply lessons learned and continue competing for the championship.
Source
www.motorsport.com