Gallagher Reinstated After Completing NASCAR Road to Recovery Program

By Seth Eggert, Staff Writer

Two months after being suspended for violating NASCAR’s substance abuse policy, Spencer Gallagher has been re-instated by the sanctioning body. GMS Racing’s NASCAR Xfinity Series driver completed the Road to Recovery program but will not receive a waiver for the Playoffs.

GMS Racing has had Alex Bowman, Chase Elliott, Johnny Sauter, and Justin Haley in the No. 23 Chevrolet Camaro SS since Gallagher’s suspension. With contracts already in place, Elliott will still drive at Daytona International Speedway and Bristol Motor Speedway with Haley driving at Watkins Glen International. Gallagher will return to the car at Kentucky Speedway, and in races in which the team has not contracted with others.

“The whole GMS organization is very proud of Spencer (Gallagher) for getting reinstated after completing NASCAR’s Road to Recovery program after the results we received post-Talladega,” Mike Beam, President of GMS Racing said. “Spencer will return to the No. 23 at Kentucky Speedway and then again after our agreed contracts are fulfilled.”

Gallagher was suspended just days after earning his first career victory at Talladega Superspeedway. Not only did he lose the benefits of his victory, a Playoff berth and the opportunity to compete for the XFINITY Dash 4 Cash at Dover International Speedway, but GMS Racing also lost the same benefits.

In addition to Gallagher’s one victory, he earned two top-five and seven top-10 finishes prior to his suspension. Sauter finished sixth at Dover with Elliott finishing second at Pocono Raceway and 10^that Chicagoland Speedway. At Michigan International Speedway, Bowman led eight laps for GMS. The team has only led nine laps in the NASCAR Xfinity Series since it made its’ series debut in 2016.

Time for the next chapter boys and girls. Been a tough road, but it’s through adversity that you learn true strength. Can’t thank the entire garage, the fans and everyone at @GMSRacingLLC enough for their support through this. See you guys at Kentucky ❤💪🏻 #nowbacktoit

— Spencer Gallagher (@23SpeedRacer) July 4, 2018