Cale Gale “blessed” to be back in the Camping World Truck Series

Update: Cale Gale finished 13th on Thursday night at Kentucky Speedway.

SPARTA, Ky. -- If it were to have ended in victory lane in November at Homestead-Miami Speedway Cale Gale wouldn’t have minded one bit.

But getting another opportunity to showcase his driving talents in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series on Thursday night at Kentucky Speedway is the next in a long list of blessings for the Mobile, Ala., native.

Gale scored his first and thus far only victory in the Trucks in the 2012 season finale but lost his ride a few weeks later when long-time sponsor Rheem jumped from Eddie Sharp Racing to Turner Scott Motorsports.

Gale eventually followed to Turner Scott, but as a crew chief rather than driver, to work with development prospect Brandon Jones in the Pro Series East and Pro All Stars Series. Gale has also been competing at Bowman Gray Stadium this season, picking up numerous sportsman division victories in his spare time.

Ultimately, Gale just feels blessed to remain in the sport he loves. And to top it off, his wife, Jennifer, is due to give birth to the couple’s first child in September.

“I always said that if it ended there, I would be happy,” Gale told SB Nation on Thursday. “I feel really blessed to have been given so many opportunities in this sport and I can’t thank Turner Scott enough for giving me another one in tonight’s race.

Gale was fastest in final practice but only qualified 18th on Thursday afternoon. He believes his practice times were more indicative of his potential race pace.

“The track just got really hot and slick during qualifying and we just weren’t ready for it,” Gale said. “We have a fast truck just like we saw in practice and I think we have a good shot to win or at least score a strong finish.”

Gale will be driving in the No. 30 on Thursday night, a seat that has raced three other times this season, for Ryan Truex, Nelson Piquet Jr. and Kyle Larson. Gale had an off-weekend from his duties with Jones freeing the driver up to make his return.

If it goes well, there could be more opportunities down the road.

“Again, I just feel blessed to have been able to win at the NASCAR level,” Gale said. “It was one of the proudest moments of my career. I know I can win races if given the equipment and Turner Scott is giving me a huge shot tonight -- I can’t thank them enough.”