Richard Childress made headlines a few weeks ago in the NASCAR Xfinity Series when he publicly blasted Sheldon Creed. The actions of the legendary team owner were heavily criticized by a great many people in the community. Fans and insiders called Childress’ reaction unnecessary. However, in an exclusive interview with EssentiallySports, Venturini Motorsports owner Billy Venturini came to the 78-year-old’s defense.

Sheldon Creed’s last-lap move in the Xfinity Series’ Martinsville race cost both him and his teammate Austin Hill their chances to make it through to the championship race. Creed was publicly chastised by a lot of people at RCR as a result. After the unpleasant outbursts, most people in the racing community had come to the 26-year-old’s support.

Billy Venturini appreciates Richard Childress for keeping his fiery personality intact

According to Billy Venturini, Richard Childress’ actions were just a way of standing up for the people working at RCR. As per the ARCA Menards Series team owner, the relationship between Sheldon Creed and RCR had already been damaged. When asked what kind of impact a public outburst like that would have on the team, Venturini gave an unexpected answer.

“Honestly, it probably helped the team chemistry because Sheldon was already out of the door and basically Richard was probably standing up for every other guy that works at Richard Childress Racing. He might have alienated Sheldon, but that was already damaged and done,” the veteran team owner said in an exclusive interview with EssentiallySports.

“I’m sure Sheldon has got a couple of people at RCR that were his guys but you know, I think that portion’s gonna be pretty small, and really Richard is the face of that organization but he is also the soul of it,” Venturini added further.

The 47-year-old team owner added that Richard Childress’ reaction proved that he still had a strong passion for the sport and a fire in his belly that some of the older team owners did not have. That is something that a lot of people at RCR must have loved. Billy Venturini also likened his personality and style of management to those of the legendary team owner.

“I’ve made some bold calls and some bold moves through the years and it really kind of makes your people fall in love with you because they know that a lot of these owners are old men that aren’t as passionate and fiery. Richard’s still fiery and so am I. A lot of people don’t like it but the ones who do love it and they’re with you. And I’d rather have a small group totally with me than a whole bunch of people not really against or with you,” the 47-year-old explained.

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While Bill Venturini has shared words of support for Richard Childress, not a lot of people have taken that same stance. Several stalwarts in the community stood in support of Sheldon Creed after the whole incident. One of those people was another Xfinity Series team owner, Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Venturini Motorsports owner’s view not shared by NASCAR icon

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Richard Childress’ post-race outburst suggested that Sheldon Creed intentionally ruined Austin Hill’s chances of making it to the Xfinity Series playoffs. However, the owner of JR Motorsports completely rubbished such claims, as he stood by the 26-year-old in support.

“I just don’t buy it. I don’t buy that he did this intentional thing to hurt his teammate. I don’t believe that in that moment there was spiked, leading the charge in terms of emotion and choice and decision making,” the 49-year-old said.

Now that a lot of time has passed since the incident, do you believe Billy Venturini’s comments in the exclusive interview with EssentiallySports make sense? Let us know what you think.

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