Donny Lia on His Goals For Atlanta: “We set a new goal every race. Our goal in Atlanta is to finish on the lead lap. It would be a successful weekend for the No. 71 TRG Motorsports Chevrolet if our team came out of here with a top-fifteen finish and on the lead lap. That’s our goal and that’s what I’m focused on. It’s all about building momentum and that’s the first step for us. That’s what we need to do. As long as we come out of here finishing with all four corners on the truck, it will still be a good day. The guys at the shop are really working hard putting in long, long hours and I’m going to do the best that I can for them.”
The Troops Rally for Their Fallen Tire Guy: Donny Lia’s No. 71 Chevrolet will carry a special decal in Atlanta in honor of 22-year-old Scott Nisbet, Tire Specialist on the No. 71 Chevrolet, who suffered cardiac related problems while at California Speedway on February 21st. The Michigan native underwent open-heart surgery last week and is recovering well.
Crew Chief Jason Miller on His Goals for the Weekend: “I told Donny earlier today that our main gold is to learn. With him never being here and never seeing the place, keeping him safe and making laps is my main objective. Where we finish is just where we finish and we’ll build from there. Do I want to run in the top ten? Absolutely. But we’re going to crawl before we walk and I understand that.”
Jason Miller on His Truck Choice for Atlanta: Jason Miller, Crew Chief of the No. 71 Chevrolet, has selected Chassis No. 20 as TRG’s primary piece for the American Commercial Lines 200. “This is a truck that we purchased from Billy Ballew Motorsports. “This is a Robinson chassis with a body from AJ’s Performance Fabrication.”
Lia and TRG Helping to Find a Cure: In an effort to raise awareness for the need for a cure of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Donny Lia’s No. 71 Chevrolet will carry the “Say I Won’t…Beat MS” signage this weekend in Atlanta. A t-shirt has been created with the “Say I Won’t…Beat MS” saying and can be purchased online at www.SayIWont.com for $20 with all profits going direct to help find a cure for MS.
What They’re Writing: TRG Motorsports was highlighted in this week’s edition of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series News & Notes. Here is what they’re writing. – Experienced Newcomers: TRG Motorsports may be new the new kid on the NASCAR block, but experience is something the team has. Since its inception in 1993, TRG (The Racer’s Group) has competed in and dominated the top level of sports car racing. In the spring of 2007, owner and CEO Kevin Buckler made the decision to enter the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. On the decision to enter the series, Buckler said, “The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is extremely competitive. The guys are like gladiators out there.” With the rookie duo of Andy Lally (No. 7 TRG Chevrolet) and Donny Lia (No. 71 TRG Chevrolet, Buckler and crew feel they have put together two teams that will hold their own in the series. The first three-time Grand Am Rolex Series champion, Lally is competing in his first full NASCAR season and is on a mission to win in the series. Lia joins TRG following an impressive 2007 season in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, which culminated with the series championship. “I’m excited to be racing for TRG Motorsports. I know that we have good equipment and good people so I am confident heading into the season,” he said.
Donny Lia To Sign Autographs in Atlanta: Donny Lia and his teammate, three-time Rolex Grand Am Series Champion Andy Lally, will sign autographs for fans on Friday, March 7th at 2:15 p.m. The duo will sign autographs at the Chevy display located outside of the front stretch at the 1.54-mile oval. Weather permitting.