Andy Lally will soon retire from active competition to join the Parella Motorsports Holdings as president of the Trans-Am Series. The three-time Grand Am champion in prototypes and GTs, 2011 NASCAR Cup Rookie of the Year and five-time winner of the Rolex 24 At Daytona, will take part in IMSA’s January endurance racing classic at Daytona International Speedway with his longstanding Magnus Racing team.
In an exclusive interview with RACER, Lally told Marshall Pruett, “The timing of this is important. I could probably extend my driving career another two or three years, but when something like this comes along that could end up bringing another 10-plus years in the sport, you say yes to it immediately, and I have to thank Tony Parella [founder and CEO of series owner Parella Motorsports Holdings] for making this happen for me. When he presented it to me, it just made so much sense.
“I think I have a lot to contribute. I’m sure that there will be a lot of people really shocked reading this, as this is coming out of left field, but I’ve seen other really good business decisions that Tony and his team have made in the past that have worked out really well, and I’m going to work really hard to make sure that this is another one. It’s a very respectful and smooth transition out of the driver’s seat and into an official capacity with a series that I love.”
“I could not be more excited to have Andy Lally join us as the president of Trans Am,” said PMH CEO Tony Parella. “Andy is one of the most respected, knowledgeable, talented, and accomplished leaders in motorsports.”