Andy Lally has insisted on Twitter that he was not fired. However, Lally has not given any details of why he will not be racing the #71 car this week at Homestead. Mike Bliss will drive the car with TJ Bell driving the #32 ride that Bliss had been occupying.
Lally has said that he had to stand on his principlas. “There’s a lot of speculation out there right now. Im not gonna comment much more except to say I didn’t get pulled from the car” Lally posted to twitter yesterday when news came out.
Despite missing the last race Lally has already wrapped up the NASCAR Sprint Cup Rookie of the Year award. He was the only driver competing for the award after Brian Keselowski stopped trying to field cars due to health problems with his gallbladder.
The #71 car is outside the top-35 in owner points meaning that Bliss will have to make the race on time. Last week Lally spun out trying to get qualify on time. Currently the car is 28 points out of the top-35 meaning it will not be guaranteed to race the first five events on 2012.
As for Lally he promises to discuss his 2012 plans soon. In 30 Sprint Cup starts this year Lally posted a season best of 19th during the spring race at Talladega.
