GMS Racing Farewell: NASCAR’s Craftsman Truck Series team, GMS Racing, announced their 2023 season will be their last. Maury Gallagher, chairman of Allegiant Travel Company, founded Gallagher Motorsports.
Gallagher shut down GMS Racing to focus on Legacy Motor Club, which he co-owns with Jimmie Johnson. After struggling competitively, Erik Jones won in 2022, leading up to GMS Racing’s Final Lap.
The team will participate until 2023, then fold. GMS Racing won their maiden Truck Series championship in 2016 and continues to make headlines in succeeding years, culminating in their Final Lap.
GMS Racing raced in NASCAR’s ARCA Menards Series, Truck Series, and Xfinity Series. GMS Racing’s Final Lap follows their championships and regular-season wins across several platforms.
The shutdown is spurred by Gallagher’s desire to focus on Legacy Motor Club, his co-owned Cup Series squad. This decision, which contributed to GMS Racing’s Final Lap, comes as the Cup Series has struggled since Jeff Gordon, Danica Patrick, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. retired.
Gallagher said he wants to end the team’s legacy with another championship. In its final season, GMS Racing’s Final Lap could be spectacular with three Truck Series drivers, including top contender Grant Enfinger.
GMS Racing has been a force from its 2015 start and championship win to its latest Truck Series victories. Johnny Sauter, Sheldon Creed, and others helped them succeed. In 2018, NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott raced with the team at Road America. Spencer Gallagher, the younger Gallagher, won an Xfinity Series before managing the team, adding to its legacy.
GMS Racing will retire after the 2023 season, but its impact on NASCAR will likely last. After the garage doors close, roaring engines, tire-scorching victories, and the team’s camaraderie will live on.
Our Reader’s Queries
Why is GMS Racing closing down?
Maury Gallagher, the team owner of GMS, has announced that he will be closing the book on the team at the end of 2023. Gallagher founded GMS in 2012 to support his son Spencer Gallagher’s racing career, but the younger Gallagher retired in 2018 to become a team manager. Gallagher hopes to focus on his Cup Series operation Legacy Motor Club moving forward.
Is GMS switching to Toyota?
Legacy Motor Club has recently revealed that they will be changing their manufacturer from Chevrolet to Toyota for the upcoming 2024 Nascar Cup Series season. This marks a significant shift for the team, who have been supplied by Chevrolet since their days as Petty GMS Motorsports back in 2021. The move to Toyota is sure to bring about new opportunities and challenges for the team, and fans are eagerly anticipating what the future holds for Legacy Motor Club.
Who is buying GMS Racing?
Jimmie Johnson, the seven-time NASCAR champion, recently acquired an ownership stake in Petty GMS. However, after the 2022 season, Richard Petty sold all of his shares in Petty GMS Motorsports to the majority owner, Gallagher.
Who owns GMS Racing in Nascar?
Maury Gallagher, co-owner of Legacy Motor Club in the Cup Series, is also the proud owner of GMS Racing. As the upcoming season approaches, Legacy Motor Club will be making a switch from Chevrolet to Toyota.
