STATESVILLE, North Carolina – Quite possibly no other NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team is doing more to prepare themselves for 2016 than GMS Racing.
On Thursday afternoon, the team made their full intentions known with the addition of Jeff Hensley as crew chief for senior driver Spencer Gallagher next season. Hensley departs ThorSport Racing where he led Canadian Cameron Hayley to an impressive rookie season capped off with a sixth place finish in the championship standings.
“The chance to come aboard at GMS Racing is a great opportunity for me in 2016. I’ve been fortunate to work with a lot of great drivers and teams in this series, and to be a part of GMS Racing’s growth is exciting. I’m looking forward to working with Spencer,” says Hensley.
“He’s a kid with raw speed, and with a year under his belt, I think we can contend for race wins next season and make him a weekly contender. We have the tools here at GMS Racing to put a successful season together and be a contending team on a weekly basis.”
Gallagher will enter his second full-time season in trucks next season on the heels of a career-best second at Gateway (Ill.) Motorsports Park earlier this year. The Las Vegas, Nevada native finished 10th overall in his rookie season with Jeff Stankiewicz’s guidance.
Additionally, the Maurice Gallagher owned team announced that reigning ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards champion Grant Enfinger will compete in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series next season under Stankiewicz’s leadership.
The team, however, remains mum on whether Enfinger’s ride will be a partial or full season slate.
Austin Dillon who scored GMS Racing their first career NCWTS victory at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in September told CATCHFENCE.com this fall that the organization had asked the Richard Childress Racing Sprint Cup driver to return to the team on a partial basis in 2016.
“GMS Racing has put together a great lineup for 2016,” says Stankiewicz. “I’m happy that Grant Enfinger will have the opportunity to show his talent in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. He’s incredibly focused and such a hard worker, and having teammates that can provide guidance and support will help him develop into an even better driver. With Johnny Sauter joining the team, he knows what it takes to win and will contribute a great deal to the development of our program. We had a solid 2015 with strong finishes, a couple of pole awards and a win. It’s time for us to build on that.”
The Statesville, North Carolina also confirmed the hiring of industry veteran Marcus Richmond who will lead Johnny Sauter’s efforts in 2016. Sauter first announced the pairing at the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series / XFINITY Series banquet on Nov 23 at The Diplomat in Hollywood, Fla.
Truck numbers and sponsors for Sauter and Enfinger efforts are still yet to be announced.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
