DOVER, Del. – Tempers flared early on Friday morning during the first NASCAR XFINITY Series practice after series regulars Joey Gase and Spencer Gallagher crashed with just 20 minutes remaining in the session.
Gase in his No. 52 Chevrolet was entering Turn 3 but backed off more than Gallagher in his No. 23 Chevrolet anticipated forcing Gallagher into the rear of Gase’s car with the contact sending both drivers into the outside wall.
The damage was significant for both drivers that backup cars will have to be utilized for the remainder of the OneMain Financial 200 race weekend.
Gallagher was furious about the crash and took to his team radio to voice his displeasure.
“He just stopped going into three,” Gallagher hollered on his radio. “What is he thinking? Unbelievable! I’m sorry guys.”
In the garage, the drivers appeared to have a brief confrontation with hand gestures before making the mandatory trip to the infield care center.
After being evaluated and released, Gase gave his breakdown of the incident in a FOX Sports 1 interview.
“He just flat-out spun me going into (Turn) three for no reason,” offered Gase. “We were struggling really bad. I gave him plenty of room and he just drove right into me. I think it just shows how bad of a driver he is.
“Look right now in the garage stall, he’s one spot ahead of us in driver’s and owner’s, (but) he’s about probably five to seven million dollars invested in his team right now than what we have.”
When asked about his clash with Gallagher, Gase said, “All he said was get the hell away from me, so he didn’t give me a reason or anything other than I guess he just sucks really, really bad.”
Entering Dover, Gase is 19th in the championship standings while Gallagher is six points ahead of him in 18th. Gase, however, has the best finish of the two this season with a seventh at Daytona International Speedway in February compared to Gallagher’s 10th at Richmond International Raceway in April.
Both drivers participated in final XFINITY Series practice with Gallagher 24th quickest and Gase last in 37th.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
