Zippo 200 - Andy Lally Notes

ANDY LALLY ANXIOUS TO MAKE SECOND START IN CLOROX FORD FUSION

NO HOLDING BACK ANDY LALLY, No. 47 CLOROX FORD AT WATKINS GLEN

Andy Lally knew there would be a period of adjustment for the three-time Grand Am GT Sports Car champion to get used to the No. 47 Clorox Ford. That wait is over.

Lally will make his second Busch Series appearance Saturday in the Zippo 200 at Watkins Glen International. This time, he said, he’s not holding back.

The differences between Lally’s The Racer’s Group Porsche and a 3,400-pound race car are stark. But he proved to be a quick learner. He consistently was one of the fastest drivers last week on the road course at Montreal, and he plans to take that confidence – and a keen knowledge of The Glen’s 2.45-mile road course – and transform it into a solid finish for Wood Brothers/JTG Racing.

Saturday’s race will be a joint effort between Wood Brothers/JTG Racing and TRG. The stock car team benefited greatly from TRG’s road-racing experience, Lally said he learned just as much.

Kelly Bires will return to the driver’s seat on Aug. 18 when the Busch Series returns to oval racing.

WHAT THE TEAM HAS TO SAY
Andy Lally, driver of the No. 47 Clorox Ford Fusion:
“The plan all along was to start off slow, learn as much as possible and be conservative in Canada,” Lally said. “We’re done with that race, so our strategy changes. We’re going after it at Watkins Glen. I have a good feel for the stock car. I also have a lot more laps at Watkins Glen. We can really be aggressive there.

“When I’m racing the TRG Porsche, it weighs half as much and has about 450 horsepower. It also has a lot of grip. Our No. 47 Clorox Ford has so much power. It also doesn’t have the same kind of grip. But honestly, it’s not that difficult to drive. In fact, it’s as much fun as I’ve ever had in a race car. There will be a lot more Nextel Cup drivers in this race, so the competition will be greater than Canada. But I think we can hold our own. At least, that’s the plan.”

Scott Zipadelli, Crew Chief No. 47 Clorox Ford Fusion:
“This has been a great experience for everyone on the Clorox team,” he said. “Andy and TRG have brought a fresh approach to road-course racing. There aren’t many Busch Series teams that can be excited about road-course racing, but everyone at Wood Brothers/JTG Racing is excited about our changes at The Glen.”

FAST & FUN FACTS: -Andy Lally won the Grand Am Sports Car Series championship in 2001, 2004 and 2006. He also was part of the winning team during the 2001 Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona.
-Pole qualifying for the Zippo 200 is Saturday morning at 11:30 on ESPN2.
-Kelly Bires will return to the driver’s seat at the Michigan International Speedway on Aug. 18.

RACE INFORMATION:
What – Zippo 200 NASCAR Busch Series race
When – Saturday, Aug. 11; 3 p.m. ET
Where – Watkins Glen International
Network – ESPN2; Sirius Satellite Radio 128