NASCAR suspends Xfinity racer Gallagher

Spencer Gallagher has been indefinitely suspended from NASCAR for violating the substance abuse policy. The violation was found May 1, per NASCAR.

Gallagher competes full-time in the Xfinity Series in his family-owned No. 23 Chevrolet. Last Saturday, Gallagher won his first career race at Talladega Superspeedway.

Gallagher has agreed to participate in NASCAR's Road to Recovery Program, which he will be required to complete before being reinstated.

“GMS Racing was notified that driver Spencer Gallagher gave a positive result from a NASCAR drug screen. GMS fully supports NASCAR’s policy on substance abuse, and we do not condone this type of behavior,” said team president Mike Beam in a statement.

“First and foremost, our entire organization wants to apologize to NASCAR, our sponsors, teammates, and fans due to this policy violation. Spencer has agreed to participate in NASCAR’s Road to Recovery program. A substitute driver will be announced at a later date.”

Said Gallagher: “I recently have had a positive result in a NASCAR drug screen which has violated NASCAR’s substance abuse policy. I want to assure everyone in the NASCAR community this one-time error in judgment will never happen again. I am taking the steps to enroll in the Road to Recovery program supported by NASCAR.

“I would like to say that I am sorry to all of the GMS organization for my actions, especially my team and team owner, who have worked so hard this year and have put faith in me. I also want to apologize to NASCAR, Chevrolet and my fans for letting them 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.”

The Xfinity Series next competes Saturday afternoon at Dover International Speedway.