LAS VEGAS — For Las Vegas native and former NASCAR driver Spencer Gallagher, this Friday night’s Star Nursery Classic, a 150-lap ARCA Menards Series West event at The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, will be far more than just another race.
Gallagher, from Las Vegas, began his racing career at the fast three-eighths-mile short track and will return to compete in the No. 23 Spencer Clark Driven / Phil’s Fabricating / 3rd Gen /VersaTile Stone Stock Car — a heartfelt tribute to his late friend and former teammate Spencer Clark.
After the 2018 racing season, Gallagher stepped away from competition for seven years to work in his father’s GMS Racing business. He returned to the track in recent years, competing in several ARCA Menards Series events as well as the 2025 Bullring season, reaffirming his passion for racing and connection to the local Las Vegas racing community.
Clark, a rising NASCAR prospect, tragically passed away in a highway accident in 2006. Like Gallagher, he launched his racing journey at The Bullring, showing early promise and determination on the path to NASCAR’s highest levels.
To honor Clark’s legacy, Gallagher’s car will proudly carry Clark’s iconic No. 23, a number synonymous with success and spirit at The Bullring. Clark’s No. 23 became a fan favorite during his days racing in Legend Cars and super late models, where he competed against other young Las Vegas talents, including NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch.
This special entry is made possible through the support of Spencer Clark Driven, Phil’s Fabricating, 3rd Gen, and VersaTile Stone, all proud local partners dedicated to celebrating the legacy of Las Vegas racing.
The car was assembled by team owners T.J. Clark, Chris Bray, and Peyton Saxton, who are working to maintain a West Coast grassroots racing team in honor of Spencer Clark and to support the development of local racing talent. The No. 23 mount has already proven its strength, winning pole position two weeks ago at Madera Speedway in 51st annual Harvest Classic with another Las Vegas driver, former Bullring track champion Jaron Giannini, behind the wheel. Giannini will also be assisting Gallagher in his effort Friday night.
“It’s an honor to bring his number back home and to carry on the legacy he built here,” said Gallagher. “Every lap I turn in that No. 23 car is for him—and for the Las Vegas racing community that remembers him so well.”
