Donny Lia

For the 60th anniversary of the NASCAR Modifieds, the sanctioning body decided to pay tribute throughout the 2008 racing season to the champions of the Tour. At this weekend's Icebreaker at Thompson Speedway (CT), 2007 champion Donny Lia joined Frankie Schieder, the 1952 NASCAR Modified champion to accept a number of keepsakes from NASCAR. The late Richie Evans was also honored for his accomplishments during the ceremony.

For Lia, just to be recognized was something that was hard to put into words.

“That's very impressive and I'm honored,” said Lia. “It's hard to find words. To me. It's almost surreal to get these honors. Doing this and being on the stage as the banquet [as champion], it's unreal to me. I just don't see myself among that crowd and it's a real honor.”

Lia has always been known as a student of racing history. He's paid close attention to the past and his elder drivers on the Tour and that made the ceremony even more special for him.

“Sure. I've always tried to learn from the best. When I started racing on the NASCAR Modified Tour, I tried to

pay attention to guys like Mike Stefanik and John Blewett. I got a good education and it paid off.”

Lia will now return to his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series duties with the April 26th event at Kansas Speedway.