NASCAR suspends Gallagher for substance abuse violation
Spencer Gallagher was on top of the world Saturday and on top of his No. 23 Camaro, being doused with sports drink by his crew after winning his first NASCAR Xfinity Series race.
On Wednesday, the Las Vegan, 28, was suspended from NASCAR for violating its substance abuse policy.
“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.”
Gallagher said he has agreed to participate in NASCAR’S Road to Recovery Program. He will not be eligible to return until completing the program.
Gallagher apologized in his statement to the GMS Racing team, including his father, Maury Gallagher, the team owner, NASCAR and fans, saying he let everyone 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 made a bold last-lap pass to win Saturday’s Xfinity Series race at Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama. It was his first victory in 49 Xfinity starts, bumping him to seventh in season points and assuring him a spot in the Xfinity playoffs at season’s end. Now it’s all gone.
Should Gallagher be reinstated this season, NASCAR said he would not receive a playoff waiver.
GMS Racing president Mike Beam said in a statement that he supports NASCAR’S substance abuse policy and does not condone Gallagher’s behavior. “Our entire organization wants to apologize to NASCAR, our sponsors, teammates and fans,” Beam said.
Beam said a substitute driver will be announced at a later date.
Contact Ron Kantowski at rkantowski@reviewjournal. com or 702-383-0352. Follow @ ronkantowski on Twitter.