Gallagher Endures the Martinsville Battle to Finish 14th

The second trip to Martinsville (Va.) Speedway for Spencer Gallagher, driver of the No. 23 Allegiant Travel Chevrolet, in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) resulted in a 14th place finish in the Kroger 250. Gallagher started from the 18th position, and maintained his position in the early stages while lacking front grip in the center of the corner. The Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender lost a lap to the race leaders near the halfway mark, but steadily worked his way through the field and had advanced inside the top 15. Gallagher earned the Lucky Dog award and regained his lap on a lap 158 caution. Crew chief Jeff Stankiewicz made track bar and wedge adjustments to improve the handling throughout the afternoon as Gallagher cracked the top 10 by lap 174.

The Las Vegas native ran as high as eighth before making his final pit stop under the lap 216 caution, and rejoined the field in 12th. While challenging for a top-10 position, Gallagher was spun by the No. 54 truck, but avoided sustaining damage. The Kroger 250 would finish on a Green-White-Checkered, as Gallagher avoided the mayhem which is often typical of Martinsville, and earned a track-best, 14th place finish at Martinsville. Gallagher’s second top-15 finish of 2015 vaulted him into the top 10 in NCWTS point standings.

SPENCER GALLAGHER QUOTE:
“Our Allegiant Travel Chevrolet really came to us the longer the runs went on. It wasn’t that we improved, but we didn’t have as much fall-off as the guys running around us. At the end of the day, we were still making up spots and gaining track position. I couldn’t be more proud of our GMS Racing team. We made huge improvements on this truck all weekend. This was another step in the right direction, the truck is in one piece, and I’m calling this weekend a success. We improved quite a bit from last year at Martinsville, and I’m excited to come back in October. I think we’ll be even better when we come back (to Martinsville).

GMS Racing PR