Sheldon Creed wins Stadium Super Trucks race No. 1 in Detroit

LEADS FROM GREEN FLAG FOR THIRD WIN OF SST SEASON
JUNE 3, 2017

Young racer Sheldon Creed recalls cutting short his first trip to Detroit last year to return home to California.

“I had to attend my high school graduation,” said Creed, 19, who lives in El Cajon. “I was home-schooled, so it was important to me to at least graduate with the other students.”

In departing the Motor City, Creed missed Races 2 and 3 of the Robby Gordon Speed Energy Stadium Super Trucks series, “even though I had run as high as second before getting a flat tire” in Friday’s first race.

Creed, who started racing BMX as a kid and later moved into quarter midgets, made up for missing the weekend at Belle Isle in 2016 by claiming Race 1 of the series during Saturday’s Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear.

Driving the No. 1 Safecraft Safety Equipment truck, Creed cleared out from the field at the green flag to win handily from Arizona’s Gavin Harlien second and Matt Brabham of Queensland, Australia, in third.

“This makes up for last year,” said Creed, who also won two truck races in Australia this season. “These races are always fun. I got away to the front and out of trouble. It’s kind of nice to get out in front, but it’s also fun to be in the middle of the battle too.”

Brabham, grandson of three-time Australian Formula 1 world champion Sir Jack Brabham, enjoyed his day, he said.

“Absolutely entertaining,” said Brabham, driver of the No. 83 truck. “It takes a unique style to drive these trucks. They are heavy, have 26 inches of suspension travel and slide around. You have to keep them straight over the jumps. They are a handful.”

Brabham is still in the hunt for a full-time Verizon IndyCar Series ride. But he’ll jump into a Speed truck any time.

“I love the series,” said Brabham. “It’s really hard racing.”

Stadium Super Trucks Detroit race number 1 Results

1. Sheldon Creed

2. Gavin Harlien

3. Matt Brabham

4. Paul Morris

5. Aaron Bambach

6. Jeff Hoffman

7. Davey Hamilton Jr.

8. Erik Davis

9. Bill Hynes

10. Arie Luyendyk Jr.