Spencer Gallagher Earns Second-Consecutive Top-10 Finish at Iowa

In his second trip to Iowa Speedway, Spencer Gallagher, driver of the No. 23 Allegiant Travel Chevrolet, earned a seventh-place finish, his second-best result of the 2015 season. The result also marks the first time in his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) career that he has posted back-to-back top 10 finishes.

Gallagher took the green flag in the American Ethanol 200 from the 14th position, and recovered from an early spin to stay on the lead lap. As crew chief Jeff Stankiewicz and the Allegiant Travel team made adjustments to subdue his loose handling condition, Gallagher cracked the top 15 by lap 53. Just after the halfway point, an elongated cycle of green-flag pit stops began, and as Gallagher stayed on track, he advanced inside the top 10 by the caution flag on lap 122. Four tires, track bar and air pressure adjustments allowed Gallagher to hold his position inside the top eight on the ensuing restart, and took two tires under a lap 150 caution to gain track position and move up to third.

While running amongst competitors with fresher tires, Gallagher comfortably ran seventh for the final 35 circuits. The seventh-place effort is Gallagher’s second-best finish of the season and his third top ten of 2015. Erik Jones took the checkered flag with GMS Racing teammate, Brandon Jones notching a career-best second-place finish.

 “Tonight was a great recovery, and a great finish for our Allegiant Travel Chevrolet,” stated Gallagher. “Our GMS Racing team made strides on the balance all night, but for the most part, we were just too loose. The long runs really helped us, and we maintained our speed as the balance improved throughout a fuel run. Jeff (Stankiewicz) made a great call for two tires to gain track position and we had the speed on a long run to maintain our position. Each week we keep improving and gaining on the top five in points. Also, congratulations to my teammate, Brandon Jones, on a career-best finish. I’m really encouraged by the recent races for GMS Racing, and I can’t wait to get to Kentucky (Speedway) in a few weeks.”

After nine of 23 events, Gallagher has progressed to a career-high, sixth position, in the NCWTS championship standings.

For an in depth interview with Spencer Gallagher, check out episode 42 of Speedway Digest Thursday Night Thunder at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/speedwaydigestradio/2015/06/19/thursday-night-thunder-with-adam-sinclair!

 
Adam Sinclair