Xfinity driver Spencer Gallagher back to NASCAR after drug ban
Spencer Gallagher will return to Xfinity series competition at Kentucky later this month having completed NASCAR's rehabilitation programme for violating its substance abuse policy
Hendrick Motorsports Cup series driver Chase Elliott will continue to drive the #23 GMS Racing Chevrolet Camaro at Daytona this weekend in part of his Xfinity calendar he added following Gallagher's ban.
But Gallagher will then return to the car for the following Xfinity round at Kentucky Speedway.
Earlier this year, Gallagher won his first Xfinity race at Talladega as part of NASCAR's Dash4Cash competition that earns the winner of select races $100,000.
He was then hit with a ban days later and agreed to participate in NASCAR's Road to Recovery programme alongside an "appropriate substance abuse professional", who outlined a plan to return to racing after substance tests over a set period.
"The whole GMS organisation is very proud of Spencer for getting reinstated after completing NASCAR's Road to Recovery programme after the results we received post-Talladega," said Mike Beam, president of GMS Racing.
"Spencer will return to the #23 at Kentucky Speedway and then again after our agreed contracts are fulfilled."
Gallagher took to Twitter to announce his return: "Time for the next chapter, boys and girls.
"Been a tough road, but it's through adversity that you learn true strength.
"Can't thank the entire garage, the fans and everyone at GMS Racing enough for their support through this. See you guys at Kentucky."
Gallagher had been seventh in the series after the first seven races of the 2018 Xfinity series season, but he now lies 14th after 15 races.
How NASCAR's Chicago round proved it can solve its inspection angst
Toyota sticking with Camry for NASCAR Cup series, Supra for Xfinity
The ex-F1 driver taking on NASCAR with a new team
Saddled with uncompetitive Minardi machinery, Tarso Marques didn't manage to score points in his three partial seasons of Formula 1. But now the Brazilian has the chance to show what he can do in NASCAR, and explains the story of his comeback with new Cup Series entrant Team Stange
The early benefits and challenges of NASCAR's Next Gen car
NASCAR’s new stock car generation is encouraging an influx of fresh blood into its top tier. But there are concerns that parts are in short supply as the entire paddock tries to build up stocks at the same time
How Penske's rookie sensation opened NASCAR's new era in style
After holding his nerve and hip-checking his team-mate on the run to the line, Austin Cindric made a perfect start to life as a full-timer in the NASCAR Cup Series by winning the Daytona 500. Here's how the Penske Ford man emerged first across the line in the first points-scoring race for the much-anticipated Next Generation cars
Six key themes to follow in the 2022 NASCAR Cup season
There are plenty of uncertainties ahead of the 2022 NASCAR Cup season as an all-new fleet of cars take to the track for the first time. Ahead of this weekend's Daytona 500, our experts explain what you need to know
How NASCAR had to learn a harsh lesson ahead of its Next Gen arrival
The NASCAR Cup kicks off with the Daytona 500 this weekend, but a major overhaul and a subsequent mountain of work has been required to be ready for the arrival of the Next Gen cars
How Larson took the long way round to NASCAR Cup glory
From villain to hero, Kyle Larson’s journey to the 2021 NASCAR Cup title comes straight from the Hollywood blockbuster scripts. While Larson had to reach his lifelong goal the hard way and go through a very public shaming after a ban for using a racial slur, his talents shone long before his name grabbed the headlines for both the right and the wrong reasons
How NASCAR is gearing up for its "biggest change" in 2022
It’s not just Formula 1 that’s set for upheaval in 2022, as the NASCAR Cup Series adopts its Next Gen cars that will cast any in-built advantages aside and require teams to adopt a totally new way of operating. Far more than just a change of machinery, the new cars amount to a shift in NASCAR's core philosophy
Why Bubba Wallace’s Talladega win is such a big moment for NASCAR
Bubba Wallace claimed his maiden NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega on Monday to become the first Black victor in the category since Wendell Scott in 1963. Both Wallace and Scott had faced obstacles and racism in their paths to their breakthrough wins, and NASCAR is trying to put it right with its range of diversity programmes