Donny Lia won several times on his way to winning the 2007 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championship.  Two of his six wins that season came at the Stafford Motor Speedway (CT).  So when Lia rolled back into Stafford reunited with his old team (Mystic Missile Racing) for their latest race, he was more then ready to add to his Stafford win tally. 

When the dust settled, Lia was left wondering what might have been as a series of misfortunes that left him 15th in the final race rundown.  Perhaps the most disheartening part of the race was that Lia felt he had a car to win.  

“It was just a tough night really,” said Lia.  “The guys did a great job and we really had a good car.  I got into the back of Ryan Preece on a restart and I rolled out of the throttle and got hit from behind and we went for a spin.  We came from the back and got back into the top 10 when the steering rack broke, so we didn’t have power steering the rest of the race.  We got almost up to the top five on a restart when we got clipped by another car and it’s really hard to save a car with no power steering.  So we battled back and ended up 15th.  Even with the problem, we were in line for a top 10 finish. It was the best car we have thus far this season. ”

Lia will be spending the next several days in meetings to possibly secure a NASCAR Nationwide Series ride or a Camping World Truck Series ride.  Lia won his first-ever Truck Series race a year ago at Mansfield Motorsports Park (OH).

“We’re looking to get something together for a Truck or Nationwide deal,” said Lia.  “I will probably be pretty tied up with that.”

No matter how those plans develop though, Lia is sure of one thing in the Modified ranks.

“We know that we have a great car to take to New Hampshire next month.”

Lia’s next scheduled NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour event is on Saturday, June 27th at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway.  

NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour

Stafford Motor Speedway (CT)

May 22, 2009

Donny Lia – No. 4

Mystic Missile Racing

Car Owner: Bob Garbarino

Hutter Racing Engines

Lia Misses Solid Finish after Power Steering Trouble at Stafford

Donny Lia Race Recap

Rick Ibsen Photo