STATESVILLE, N.C. – Nine weeks after being indefinitely suspended for violating NASCAR’s Substance Abuse Policy, GMS Racing driver Spencer Gallagher has been reinstated and is eligible to return to competition.

NASCAR officials made the announcement through a reinstatement notice on its media website at 2 p.m. on Wednesday.

Gallagher had to complete the Road to Recovery program before being eligible for reinstatement, which was specifically laid out following an assessment conducted by the program administrator.

The 28-year-old Las Vegas native earned his first Xfinity Series win at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway on April 28, just days before NASCAR officials were notified of the violation that led to Gallagher’s suspension on May 2.

Despite missing the last six races while under suspension, Gallagher still ranks 14th in the Xfinity Series regular season standings. However, even though he has the win at Talladega to his credit, he will not be playoff-eligible due to the missed races.

NASCAR officials announced when Gallagher was first suspended that they would not grant him a waiver for the playoffs.

GMS Racing confirmed Wednesday afternoon that Gallagher will return to the seat of the No. 23 Chevrolet for the Alsco 300 at Kentucky Speedway on July 13.

Alex Bowman was originally scheduled as the interim driver of the No. 23 Chevrolet for the Kentucky event. Chase Elliott will pilot the car this weekend at Daytona Int’l Speedway.

“The whole GMS organization is very proud of Spencer (Gallagher) for getting reinstated after completing NASCAR’s Road to Recovery program after the results we received post-Talladega,” said GMS Racing President Mike Beam. “Spencer will return to the No. 23 at Kentucky Speedway and then again after our agreed contracts are fulfilled.”

Elliott will be back behind the wheel of the No. 23 Chevrolet at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway on Aug. 18, while Justin Haley is scheduled to drive the car at Watkins Glen Int’l on Aug. 4.