Gallagher Suspended Following Substance Abuse Policy Violation

By David Morgan, NASCAR Editor

Just days after scoring his first NASCAR Xfinity Series win at Talladega, Spencer Gallagher will now be on the sidelines for the foreseeable future after NASCAR announced that the 28-year old has violated the sanctioning body’s substance abuse policy and will be suspended indefinitely.

The violation was found on May 1 and after notifying Gallagher, the driver has agreed to participate in the Road to Recovery Program. Participation in the program is a requirement to getting the suspension lifted and getting back on track.

“I recently have had a positive result in a NASCAR drug screen which has violated NASCAR’s substance abuse policy,” Gallagher said. “I want to assure everyone in the NASCAR community this one time error in judgement will never happen again. I am taking the steps to enroll in the Road to Recovery program supported by NASCAR.

“I would like to say that I am sorry to all of the GMS organization for my actions, especially my team and team owner, who have worked so hard this year and have put faith in me. I also want to apologize to NASCAR, Chevrolet and my fans for letting them down. I have not upheld the behavior that is expected of me. I promise you all here and now, I will do whatever it takes to make this right.”

Gallagher, who is in his second year in the Xfinity Series, qualified for the Dash4Cash program in this weekend’s race at Dover with his Talladega win, but that eligibility has been rescinded by the sanctioning body and will go to the next eligible driver instead.

In addition, Gallagher also qualified for the playoffs with his win, but now that he will be out of the car for some time, those playoff hopes are likely gone as well, unless NASCAR grants him a waiver to be able to participate.