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Spencer Gallagher to Race Full-Time in XFINITY Series, Will Return to Truck Series

Spencer Gallagher will be extending his NASCAR XFINITY Series schedule in 2017.

The 27-year-old son of GMS Racing founder Maury Gallagher competed in the Camping World Truck Series full-time in 2016, finishing 12th in the standings during his sophomore season. With eight top 10s and two pole awards, Gallagher believes “it is a good start” to move up the rankings next year.

“We’re looking hard at what kind of XFINITY schedule we can put together,” Gallagher said. “It’s no secret that I love the Truck Series. No matter what, my butt is going to be in one of these trucks come next year.”

With Gallagher also returning to the Truck Series for at least a few races, he will rejoin series champion teammate Johnny Sauter, who earned the team its first title since its inception in mid-2013. However, GMS Racing did not respond by the time of publication when approached about how many events Gallagher would compete in.

In addition to Gallagher’s Truck Series slate in 2016, he competed in seven XFINITY Series starts with a best finish of eighth at Daytona International Speedway in July.

The ideal goal for GMS Racing, according to Gallagher, is to continue the path it has begun to draw out, advancing by division as the team generates more success and funding.

Gallagher will run the No. 23 car in the XFINITY Series next year, with a crew chief to be named later. Jeff Hensley served as his crew chief in 2016, with Jeff Stankiewicz calling the shots for the Las Vegas native in 2015.

Said Gallagher: “It really is amazing to see how this team has come out of the gate as far as being competitive in our early years. We’ve basically gone from zero to championship in 36 months.”

In 58 Truck Series, Gallagher has three top 5s, two of which are runner-up finishes, along with 15 top 10s. He also has one victory in the ARCA Racing Series, triumphing at Kansas Speedway in the 2014 season finale.

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