First Time on Track with Hagans Racing Team a Success
When you jump into a pool, sometimes it is best to just dive into the deep end.
Donny Lia took a big step in preparing for his debut in the ARCA RE/MAX Series this season recently by taking part in a superspeedway test session at Talladega Superspeedway. Lia’s first laps in a Hagans Racing Dodge came as he helped out teammate Matt Hagans to prepare for next month’s ARCA season opener at Daytona. Although that event is not part of Lia’s 2006 schedule, he will still able to help the team during the test session.
Learning a craft at the largest and fastest track on the schedule was quite an experience for Lia. He was in awe of what he took part in.
“It’s pretty amazing,” Lia said of the track. “You go out there and it’s just so big and has more banking, way more than any other track I’ve been on. It’s a whole different world, but it’s really cool and a lot of fun. It’s just the coolest thing a race car driver could ever want to go do. I am having a lot of fun.
"The car drove great. Matt shook it down and the team tested in Daytona and they know what they are doing. It was great motor and a great body. I just am so thankful to be running with them and to have this opportunity."
It was also a good opportunity for Lia to experience what the ARCA cars were all about. He will run in a schedule of eight races later this season for the Hagans team.
“This is all new to me, because I race modifieds. They are open-wheeled, real light. It’s a totally different experience and interesting. Every time I hit the race track I learn so much.”
Donny was all smiles when he pulled in after his first run on the "monster" 2.66 mile superspeedway.
Just entering the facility in the morning before even hitting the track, Lia knew that it was going to be a special experience.
"When I got there it was pretty intimidating at first. I wasn't nervous and I wasn't afraid. I had never seen a track that big before, not even Daytona. It's big and ugly and a monster. I went out there and it wore off. I was a little in awe when I first pulled out but it was just awesome."
It's just the start of a lot of great things in store for Lia in the 2006 season. Even Lia is focused on what is ahead of him, he also knows to stop and smell the roses, especially after experiencing a superspeedway for the first time.
Donny teammed with Matt Hagans at the Pro Cup race in Bristol this past season.
"It was a lot of fun man. There haven't been that many experiences so far in my career that have been so unique. Maybe Bristol can be one of those but this one definitely tops. There aren't that many days when you get a chance to have a new experience like this, It just feels great. I was blown away."
Donny Lia will make his debut with Hagans Racing in the ARCA RE/MAX Series in April in the PFG Lester 150 at Nashville Superspeedway.
