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Suspended Spencer Gallagher told to leave Charlotte Xfinity test

NASCAR Xfinity Series Roseanne 300 - Practice

FONTANA, CA - MARCH 16: Spencer Gallagher, driver of the #23 Allegiant Chevrolet, stands in the garage during practice for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Roseanne 300 at Auto Club Speedway on March 16, 2018 in Fontana, California. (Photo by Sarah Crabill/Getty Images)

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CONCORD, North Carolina - Spencer Gallagher, suspended indefinitely for violating NASCAR’s substance abuse policy, briefly attended Monday’s Xfinity Series test at Charlotte Motor Speedway before he was informed he was not allowed to be there and left.

Suspended drivers are not permitted to attended any NASCAR-sanctioned events.

A NASCAR spokesperson said Gallagher was not aware he was barred from the test. Upon learning that his suspension precluded him from being in the garage, he left.

Gallagher declined to answer questions from NBC Sports.

Gallagher, who drives GMS Racing’s No. 23 Chevrolet, was suspended May 2 -- four days after winning his first career Xfinity race at Talladega Superspeedway. He has agreed to take part in the Road to Recovery program. No timetable for his return has been announced.

Former Chip Ganassi Racing driver Brennan Poole took Gallagher’s place during the one-day open test. Poole’s name is on the car and his GMS Racing firesuit. He has not competed in a NASCAR race since last season’s Xfinity finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Johnny Sauter, who drives for GMS Racing in the Camping World Truck Series, drove the No. 23 last Saturday at Dover International Speedway. He finished sixth.

A GMS Racing spokesperson told NBC Sports on Monday that a driver for the May 26 race at Charlotte -- the next Xfinity race -- has not been finalized.