Lally drops to lowest rung on France family ladder

Andy Lally

The France family owns four race series (from lowest to highest in value) – Grand-Am, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Nationwide Series and the Sprint Cup series. When you come to race the Frances will place you in the series that you can afford. New drivers or new sponsors usually start from the bottom and work their way up. Older drivers, or drivers who run short of money, usually work their way down the ladder before hanging it up altogether.

Andy Lally will return to the Grand-Am Series in 2012 after spending the last season in NASCAR. Lally will drive for Magnus Racing in the Rolex Sports Car Series GT division next year.

He was the rookie of the year in NASCAR's elite Sprint Cup Series. He drove for underfunded TRG Motorsports but left the team before last weekend's season finale.

Lally ran 30 NASCAR races this season, with a season-best finish of 19th at Talladega. He's hoping to still run NASCAR, particularly road-course events.

Lally is a three-time Rolex Series champion and Grand-Am's all-time mileage and podiums leader. He's also a three-time Rolex 24 at Daytona winner. He will team with owner/driver John Potter. The two teamed together in 2009 in the Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge.