Gallagher Leads First-Career Laps at Pocono

In his second start at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway, Spencer Gallagher, driver of the No. 23 Allegiant Travel Chevrolet, led laps for the first time in his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) career on the way to a 14th-place finish. Gallagher led once for a total of three laps in the Pocono Mountains 150 and picked up his eighth top-15 finish of his rookie campaign.

Starting from the 13th position, fuel conservation was an immediate priority. On the race’s first caution period, Gallagher hit pit road to alleviate a loose condition in the center of the corner, and to pack his Allegiant Travel Chevrolet full of Sunoco race fuel. The Las Vegas native ran inside the top 15 until green flag pit stops began on lap 28. With more fuel than the leaders, Gallagher stayed on track to take the lead on lap 36. Crew chief Jeff Stankiewicz brought him to pit road under green on lap 39 for two tires and fuel, and returned to the track in 11th position.

The field was slowed by late-race cautions, and under the yellow at lap 55, Gallagher pitted once more for four tires and adjustments to help his inconsistent balance. The race was extended nine laps past the advertised distance and reached into a third and final attempt at a Green-White-Checker finish. While Gallagher fiercely battled for position inside the top-10, he took the checkered flag in 14th position behind the race winner, Kyle Busch.

Gallagher holds the ninth position in the NCWTS standings going into the 12th race of 2015 at Michigan International Speedway on August 15th.

SPENCER GALLAGHER QUOTE:
“(Pocono) always seems to have wild finishes when we get Green-White-Checkers (GWC). It’s not exactly what we wanted for a finish. We were pretty good, and had a good balance after we put right side tires on during that green flag pit stop, but fought being free most of the afternoon. Had it gone green, we were looking at a decent finish. We had a good restart on the second attempt (at a GWC), and on the last one all hell broke loose and we got bounced around. We finished behind where we wanted to be, but our Allegiant Travel team keeps working hard. It was nice to lead today for the first time in my career. We’ll head to Michigan (International Speedway) and try to run up front again.”

GMS Racing PR