KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Spencer Gallagher, the lively and charismatic staple driver for GMS Racing will retire from full-time NASCAR Xfinity Series competition following next month’s season-finale at Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway.
The announcement was made on Friday afternoon prior to Xfinity Series practice at Kansas Speedway. Gallagher said he will move into a managerial role with the organization beginning with the 2019 season.
“I will no longer be competing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series,” he said. “I will be stepping out of that role as a driver and taking on a more managerial role at GMS. As of right now, we are absolutely intent on continuing our Xfinity effort on and we aim to win a championship with the quality of stuff we’ve been able to build and the talented people that surround us there at GMS. It has been an incredible, incredible journey getting to watch this team grow and flourish and become something incredible from very humble beginnings.
“…And I can’t wait to be there personally. This is not me stepping back from NASCAR. If anything, this is me diving in further. This has been a big decision and something I’ve been thinking about for a long, long time.”
Mike Beam, president of GMS Racing said, “Regarding the announcement of Spencer Gallagher’s retirement earlier today at Kansas Speedway, all of us at GMS Racing wish Spencer the best in his future endeavors. We look forward to what the future holds for this organization and we will continue to work to build our Xfinity Series program into a championship caliber team like our trucks.”
Gallagher, 28, is the son of GMS Racing team owner Maurice Gallagher who also owns Allegiant Airlines, the primary sponsor for the Las Vegas, Nev. native throughout most of his career.
He joined the ARCA Racing Series in 2011 where he made 51 starts winning just one race at Kansas Speedway in Oct. 2014. From ARCA, he joined the Truck Series full-time in 2015 for two seasons before advancing to the Xfinity Series in 2017.
Gallagher won his first Xfinity Series race at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway this past April as part of NASCAR’s Dash4Cash competition, but his win was overshadowed four days later when NASCAR suspended the driver for violating the sanctioning body’s substance abuse policy.
Gallagher apologized for his actions and vowed to return.
“I recently have had a positive result in a NASCAR drug screen, which has violated NASCAR’s substance abuse policy,” Gallagher said in a statement. “I want to assure everyone in the NASCAR community this one time error in judgment 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.”
NASCAR announced in early July that he had successfully completed their Road to Recovery Program with Gallagher taking to Twitter to officially announce his return at Kentucky Speedway on July 13.
“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 GMS Racing enough for their support through this. See you guys at Kentucky.”
In his six Xfinity Series races since returning to the seat of the No. 23 GMS Racing Chevrolet, Gallagher posted a top-five finish in his most recent race at Dover (Del.) International Speedway where he finished fifth after starting fourth.
Over the past year, Gallagher has also assumed a managerial role for GMS Racing often speaking at press conferences as a representative of the team when his father or
Gallagher also made his Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series debut for BK Racing at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International where he finished 35th after starting 34th.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
