LALLY: Debut Ends in Crash at Kansas
05-02-2008 9:27 am

Andy Lally made his debut at the 1.5-mile oval of Kansas Speedway on Saturday, qualifying 24th and finishing 29th in the O'Reilly Auto Parts 250 after a crash took the three-time Rolex Grand Am Champion out of contention on lap 106 of the 167-lap event.

"We had a tough finish to what was shaping up to be a good day," said Lally, who's No. 7 TRG Motorsports Chevrolet was tight until the middle of the race.  "Butch and the crew were able to dial the truck in by the mid point in the race and we were strong on a long run and had a solid balance on the truck. I think our pace was a step forward from previous races and I know we could have been a top-15 truck today without a problem."

But Lally's shot at a top-15 ended on lap 106 when he was battling side-by-side with Chad Chaffin.  Lally's Chevrolet lost the air on its nose while Lally was trying to make the pass.  Lally slammed into Chaffin's truck and then into the wall.  "I feel horrible about the wreck because these guys put so much time into evolving this particular truck," said Lally, who was disappointed after the wreck.  "I'm there at the shop with them and can see the amount of time and effort they put into making it right, I look forward to trying to make this up to them."

Lally will have his chance when the Series returns to at Lowe's Motor Speedway on Friday, May 16th for the North Carolina Education Lottery 200.  Live television coverage will be provided by the SPEED Channel at 7:30 p.m. ET with radio coverage coming to you live courtesy of MRN Radio.

"I am obviously not happy with a DNF but I have trouble putting into words how awesome this series is to race," explained Lally.  "I look forward to every single time I go on track and I am so happy to be racing here. The struggles now will be worth it if we can keep pushing this No. 7 TRG Motorsports truck further and further to the front.