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Spencer Gallagher claims first Xfinity win in overtime finish at Talladega

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An overwhelmed Spencer Gallagher explains how he won his first-ever Xfinity Series race, one which he only led in the final lap.

Spencer Gallagher won the Sparks Energy 300 in an overtime finish at Talladega Superspeedway, claiming his first career win in his 49th career start.

The overtime finish happened after leader Justin Allgaier ran out of gas, extending a caution that began with eight laps to go because of a cut tire by Daniel Hemric.

Gallagher beat Brandon Jones, Allgaier, Noah Gragson and Elliott Sadler in the two-lap shootout. Gallagher only led the final lap of the race. It was his first lap led in Xfinity competition.

Gallagher drives for GMS Racing, which is owned by his father, Maurice Gallagher, Jr.

“The only thing going through my mind was ‘I hope to hell this works’,” Spencer Gallagher told Fox. “Gosh, I’m so happy right now. GMS Racing brought such an incredible car here. To qualify this thing third and race the way we did all day, I knew we had some speed. It didn’t seem real for awhile there. That whole last lap it was kind of a dream. You’d hear your spotter taking to you in the background. All you’re really doing is looking into your mirror. ... It’s always wild the last lap at Talladega, but we brought it home, baby!”

Sadler bounced back from a speeding penalty to finish fifth and win the $100,000 Dash 4 Cash bonus for the second week in a row.

Gallagher, Jones, Allgaier and Gragson are eligible for the last Dash 4 Cash bonus next weekend at Dover.

STAGE 1 WINNER: Daniel Hemric

STAGE 2 WINNER: Elliott Sadler

MORE: Race results/point standings

WHO HAD A GOOD DAY: Brandon Jones earned his career-best result in 80 starts. His previous best was fifth. ... Noah Gragson has finished in the top four in his first two Xfinity starts ... Elliott Sadler has finished in the top 10 in all nine races this season. ... Ryan Sieg placed sixth for his best result of the season. He has eight top 10s in 145 starts.

WHO HAD A BAD DAY: Austin Cindric finished 30th after running out of gas coming to the green flag of overtime … Five drivers, including Ryan Truex, were eliminated in a six-car incident on Lap 34 … Jeremy Clements finished 35th after his engine expired on Lap 53 ... Matt Tifft finished 25th after having to pit for a cut tire late in the race.

NOTABLE: Spencer Gallagher is the third driver to earn his first Xfinity win at Talladega ... Gallagher is the third full-time Xfinity regular to win this season, joining Tyler Reddick (Daytona) and Christopher Bell (Richmond).

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “When we get home we’re going to party like it’s 1999.” - Spencer Gallagher to Fox.

QUOTE OF THE DAY No. 2: “If I win the Xfinity Dash 4 Cash (next week), I am taking every person at GMS out for steak dinner until I’m out of money or they’re out of cows. Whichever comes first.” - Spencer Gallagher

WHAT’S NEXT: OneMain Financial 200 at Dover International Speedway at 1:30 p.m. ET on May 5 on Fox Sports 1.