Preview: Kansas Speedway - O’Reilly Auto Parts 250
Donny Lia – No. 71 TRG Motorsports/Autism Speaks Chevrolet
Donny Lia on Racing at Kansas Speedway: “I’m excited to go to Kansas. I have never seen it. I don’t mind going to tracks that I’ve never been too. I kind of enjoy that. It’s kind of a treat for me to go somewhere I’ve never been too. It will be a new challenge, but I know that we have a good truck and I think me never being there I don’t think it’s going to hurt us at all. I could end up being totally wrong, but we should be good there.”
Donny Lia on Testing for Kansas: In preparation for the 167-lap race at Kansas Speedway, Donny Lia’s No. 71 team tested at Pocono Raceway. “The Pocono test went really good. I don’t know how much you can take from Pocono and apply at Kansas, but I’m sure there’s something. The bottom line is the truck had a real good balance to it. Aero-wise I think we made a ton of gains since Atlanta and we learned a bunch of stuff in the wind tunnel. This is a brand new truck – truck 002 – so far so good. It’s really got a good feel and I’m comfortable in it. I think that regardless of what transfers over from track to track, when you have a really good balance – that’s half the battle. I’m really looking forward to going to Kansas with it. I really can’t wait!”
Donny Lia on The Chemistry with his Crew Chief: “The chemistry level between me and Jason (Miller, Crew Chief) is really, really good. I’ve worked with a lot of crew chiefs over the last six or seven years and Jason ranks right up there in the top one or two. I’ve enjoyed working with him. We get along great and we communicate really well. We kind of look out for each other which is good.”
Donny Lia on The Team’s Hard Work: “A big reason why I’m excited to go to Kansas is because I know how hard everyone at TRG is working in the shop to get the results that I think we’ll be capable of getting now. The biggest thing for me is to go there and get a good run and make all that hard work pay off for all the guys there on the 7 and the 71. I think both our trucks will be good. Our hopes are high and I think we really have a good shot to deliver and bring the spirits up at TRG.”
Jason Miller on His Truck Choice for Martinsville: Jason Miller, Crew Chief of the No. 71 Chevrolet, has selected Chassis No. 002 as TRG’s primary piece for the O’Reilly Auto Parts 250. This is a brand new truck from the TRG stable and recently tested at Pocono Raceway on April 8th and 9th in preparation for Saturday’s show at Kansas Speedway.
WAM Helps TRG Crewman, TRG Helps WAM: When TRG crewman, Scott Nisbet fell victim to cardiac problems at California Speedway in February, The Women’s Auxiliary of Motorsports, Inc. (WAM) stepped up to help the uninsured 22-year-old with his medical bills. In turn, TRG has agreed to run a decal on the No. 71 truck to help raise awareness about WAM. WAM exists on fundraising projects as well as donations to support its activities. Funds raised enable WAM to make substantial contributions to NASCAR® families in need. For more information on WAM, please visit www.waminc.org.
About Autism: Autism is a complex brain disorder that inhibits a person's ability to communicate and develop social relationships, and is often accompanied by extreme behavioral challenges. Autism spectrum disorders are diagnosed in one in 150 children in the United States, affecting four times as many boys as girls. The diagnosis of autism has increased tenfold in the last decade. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have called autism a national public health crisis whose cause and cure remain unknown.
About Autism Speaks: Autism Speaks is dedicated to increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders, to funding research into the causes, prevention and treatments for autism, and to advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. It was founded in February 2005 by Suzanne and Bob Wright, the grandparents of a child with autism. Bob Wright is Vice Chairman, General Electric, and served as chief executive officer of NBC for more than twenty years. To learn more about Autism Speaks, please visit www.autismspeaks.org.
About TRG: TRG was founded in 1993 and has been competing at the top level of sports car racing every since. TRG Motorsports (the NASCAR division) was founded in the spring of 2007 and is comprised of a group of friends, partners and racers. TRG has the most wins of any team in the Grand-Am Rolex Series with 23, including the 2005 and 2006 Rolex Series GT Championship trophy to go along with wins in the Rolex 24 at Daytona and the 24 Hours or Le Mans. TRG is also a manufacturer and distributor of high-performance racing parts. The group specializes in engine and chassis building as well as full service professional race car preparation. The company also provides electrical and mechanical engineering services, driver development and arrive-and-drive opportunities. TRG is based in Petaluma, California and has now expanded to include a state-of-the-art race shop in “Race City, U.S.A.” – Mooresville, North Carolina.
