Spencer Gallagher and GMS Racing started an asphalt Super Late Model program to fine-tune the driver’s personal race-craft but discovered an addictive atmosphere to go alongside it.
The 27-year-old entered the Snowball Derby last month with his No. 23 prepared by Mike House but failed to make the show. This is just their second start together so the super group is still trying to build their notebook.
Gallagher qualified 18th out of 26 drivers on Saturday in Speedfest 200 qualifying but that’s why he entered the event at the Watermelon Capital Speedway. He embraces the challenge to improve his skillsets before embarking to a full-time NASCAR Xfinity Series season with GMS.
“I think we have a real good race package here,” Gallagher said. “I’m hurting for some single-lap speed since we’ve unloaded, but I really think some of these adjustments before qualifying helped. The clock doesn’t show it but I like how the car drove much-better than before. I wish we could have started with this qualifying package and worked from there.
“But these guys have been working their ass off so I can’t take anything away from their effort. I’m just happy to be here and be running.”
By modern standards, Gallagher began racing at a much older age and was admittedly rushed through the ranks. In fact, the son of Allegiant Air and GMS Racing owner Maury Gallagher didn’t start to pursue racing as a career until his early 20s.
Despite the disadvantage, he has quickly earned a reputation for his studious nature and how quickly he’s taken to the technical side of the sport. With that said, he knows better than to believe he’s going to make just his second start in this car and put on the same flawless performance as a Erik Jones or Bubba Pollard.
“This is a talented bunch of guys and you can’t walk into their house and think you’re going to knock ‘em around,” he said.
With that said, he doesn’t view this as a one-off program. Gallagher is personally invested in this No. 23 Super Late Model and hopes to run it as often as his NASCAR agenda allows. At the same time, he wants to turn it into a development program for NASCAR’s next generation.
But honestly, Gallagher simply wanted an excuse to keep returning to the short track scene. The atmosphere and personalities quickly grew on him over two Snowball Derby appearances over the past three seasons and it felt like home to the Las Vegas native.
“That’s the magic of it,” he said. “You come out here to the middle of nowhere Georgia and you find a family. These are people that travel and do this — it’s their life. It reflects in everyone’s character. They care about this like the care about nothing else but family, and they’re here too. I respect the hell out of that. You can’t buy that with money.”
Welcome home, Spencer.
