Donny Lia made his NASCAR debut this past weekend at Loudon’s New Hampshire International Speedway. Running in NASCAR’s Modified Series for the last few years, Lia finally got his chance to prove himself on the track with the Big Dogs.
With somewhat of an advantage on the 1.058-mile track, due to already having won there in June in the Modified Series, Lia was more than ready for the first practice session on Friday morning.
Running well during each practice session on Friday, Lia and his crew made several changes to his No. 36 Tundra in order to prepare him for qualifying the next day. Due to heavy rains however, qualifying would be cancelled and Lia would be forced to start the 200-lap race in the 36th position.
Remaining calm and composed, Lia was ready for his first race in the NASCAR ranks. At the drop of the green flag, Lia immediately charge forwards, jumping into the top-30 by lap 20. His truck however would soon become tight center off and by lap 31; Lia would become a lap down.
Showing his talent to the field, Lia would once again start picking off positions one by one. Within a few laps however Lia would radio over to his No. 36 crew that he needed to be freer. Fighting his truck and driving hard into the corners, Lia would maintain calm and become the Lucky Dog on lap 58.
Driving under a long green flag run, Lia would vault himself into the 22nd position at the half-way point of the race. With his truck still not running as well as he would have liked, Lia would be forced a lap down as the leaders would come charging by on lap 113.
Needing to make some much needed changes to his No. 36 Tundra, Lia would come to pit road under green flag conditions on lap 130. Taking four tires, fuel, a wedge and making an air pressure and trackbar adjustment, Lia would get back on the track in the 21st position.
Maintaining his position well, Lia would finish his first ever NASCAR race in the 20th position.
