Race Weekend Central

Spencer Gallagher Retiring From NASCAR Competition at End of 2018

Spencer Gallagher announced Friday afternoon (Oct. 19) at Kansas Speedway that he will no longer race after the 2018 season comes to a close.

“It had been an incredible journey being able to watch this team grow and flourish and become something incredible from very humble beginnings,” Gallagher said. “This is not me stepping back from NASCAR. If anything, this is me diving in further.

“My greatest utility to GMS lies somewhere other than the driver’s seat. I think there’s so much opportunity inside this industry and I’m here to chase it.”

In fact, Gallagher is stepping into a managerial position with the team, though his role at this time isn’t clear. The announcement did not specify who might end up behind the wheel of the No. 23 Chevrolet for the 2019 season.

“We’re interviewing several capable candidates right now, but I want to let everyone know the seat’s open season,” he continued. “I believe we have excellent stuff and we’re taking auditions.”

Gallagher did admit that being on the road, away from his family played a role in the decision to hang up his helmet.

“I’ve spent 10 years out here away from my family, and a couple months ago, it occurred to me if one of my parents kicks the bucket tomorrow and I had spent the last 10 years out here driving racecars and being away from them, I don’t know if I’d ever be able to forgive myself.

“Trust me when I say this is the hardest decision I have ever had to make, and I did not make it lightly.”

While Gallagher didn’t completely close off the possibility of future NASCAR starts, saying “I love me some truck plate races,” he is “not currently scheduled to resume NASCAR competition at any point at this time.”

Gallagher will finish out the 2018 season as already planned. In 55 XFINITY Series starts, he has the lone win earlier this season at Talladega Superspeedway, along with three top fives and 10 top-10 finishes.

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Tom B

I like that we are recognizing race drivers that have chosen to retire. It’s kind of funny though when the race driver is a young man and his family owns a big corporation, i.e. Brian Scott. I’m surprised Beth didn’t mention his NASCAR Road to Recovery’ stint. Why bring up any negatives?
But I see maybe a different reason to retire than to be with family. The Ricky Williams theory. Once you retire or move up to management, i.e. Brian France, you don’t get tested anymore for unapproved ‘whatever’ in your blood or urine.
Good Luck Scott. You could be the next Richard Childress or Tony Stewart team owner.

Mack

I thought the same thing regarding the substance abuse. Ricky Hendrick came to mind when I heard this minus the drugs. I wish the kid the best and hope he is still clean. I do wonder how upper level employees feel when they have worked hard to get where they are today only to have a slot opened where he will most likely be making more money than them with little to no experience on the business side.

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