Using both of Friday’s NASCAR XFINITY Series (NXS) practice sessions to try prepare for Saturday night’s race at Iowa Speedway, Spencer Gallagher and the No. 23 Allegiant team felt comfortable with the progress they showed throughout the day. He would go on to qualify 19th for the American Ethanol E15 250, still confident with his long run race setup.
With the sun just beginning to set as the 250-lap began, Gallagher settled into the 18th position. He reported early on that he was battling “loose in, tight middle, loose off” as the run ensued in his Allegiant Camaro. However, as stage one was coming to a close, Gallagher had a right front tire go flat. Unable to hold on until the stage break, Gallagher was forced to pit under green for four tires, fuel and a track bar adjustment. He returned to the track in the 36th position, two laps down.
Before going green on stage two, Gallagher took the wave around to get one of his laps back. Remaining patient, Gallagher worked his way into the free pass position, and was the beneficiary when the caution came out on lap 114. Crew chief Joey Cohen called the No. 23 down pit road for four tires, fuel and both a track bar and air pressure adjustment. Gallagher restarted 29th, back on the lead lap, and gained three spots before stage two ended just two laps later.
As pit strategy ensued, Gallagher was able to restart 18th for the start of the final stage. Methodically working his way through the field, the NXS rookie found himself closing in on the top-10 when he was collected in an accident by the No. 16 on lap 163. Sustaining major rear-end damage, the Allegiant team went to work trying to repair the No. 23 Chevy Camaro. Still able to continue, but not up to pace with the field, Gallagher toughed it out for the remaining laps to finish the race on track in the 30th position, five laps down.
Quote
“We had a great Allegiant Chevrolet tonight and had made our way back to be in contention for our best short track finish of the season. Obviously that’s not how our night ended. I really hate it for all the guys at GMS Racing though. They put together a fast Chevy and the finish they deserved got taken away from them. Hopefully Daytona will fare better, it has in the past.”
GMS Racing PR
- The First of Three May Races for Eddie Tafoya Jr. This Saturday at Kern - May 3, 2024
- Camp Out for Your Crocs - May 3, 2024
- RFK, Chris Buescher Participate in Annual Fifth Third Day - May 3, 2024