Photo Credit: Noel Lanier
Some fans to went to a truck race at Gateway Motorsports Park, and a hockey fight broke out.
With two laps to go in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Drivin’ for Lineman 200, the No. 23 Alamo Chevrolet, driven by Spencer Gallagher got into the No. 05 Zaxby Chevrolet, driven by John Wes Townley.
After the incident occurred, Townley went over and punched Gallagher. The two drivers then fought back and forth while they rolled around down the race track all the way to the infield grass, until they got pulled off by their crew’s and officials. This isn’t the first incident between the two as they also going into an altercation after the truck race at Iowa Speedway in 2014.
“We’ll look at the all the video feeds we have, we certainly talked to both drivers postrace,” Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer told Sirus XM Radio. “We’ll have our discussions. We’ll kind of have an evaluation and talk to everyone about where we stand from that. Certainly not our best moment, for sure, two passionate drivers. That’s part of things sometimes when emotions run high, but certainly don’t like to see that to occur when they’re especially on the racetrack.
O’Donnell added they like to see their drivers show emotion, but when it goes beyond the levels of what’s warranted they need to “jump in and react”.
“We’re going to react heavily when we have to,” he said. “There will still be repercussions for sure. We want to make sure drivers, if they’re going to do anything, are outside of their car but certainly don’t encourage what happened at Gateway.”
Later on Gallagher wrote an apology for his actions after the race.
“I would like to take time to address my actions at Gateway Motorsports Park this past weekend.” Gallagher said. “First, I would like to apologize to John Wes Townley. Additionally, to his team and fans, I am sorry. The incident earlier in the race was not intentional and certainly was not meant to cause bigger problems later in the event. My crew, who have worked so hard to get me to where I am this season, did not deserve to have their night ended in that way.
“My teammates and all of the guys back at the shop deserve more respect than was shown Saturday night. I would also like to apologize to my team owner, who wholeheartedly believes in this organization and expects all of us to perform at our best at all times, no matter the situation. And finally, I would like to extend a sincere apology to the NASCAR community – representatives and fans. I love this sport just as much as all of you and I am ashamed that I was part of an incident that has allowed so many to view what we do in a negative light.”
