The finish to the 2009 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour is going to very interesting, as trio of former champions, and one upstart racer, will square off for a chance at the championship.  2007 Champion Donny Lia has come rip roaring toward the front in the last few weeks thanks to great luck and some amazing driving by the New York native. After recovering from a late-race spin in the WMT event at Martinsville Speedway (VA) to post a eighth-place finish Lia now sits only one point off the lead with two races to go in the middle of a four way title fight that also includes 2008 champion Ted Christopher, 2003 champion Todd Szegedy and young Ryan Preece.

“It will be close,” said Lia regarding the points. “We have had some real good luck recently and I wouldn’t call today bad luck, but it was good run for us.  Late in the race, I checked up trying to be a nice guy over in turn one and I got run over from the back.  That is what happens when you try to be a nice guy.  Overall it’s not a bad day for us.” 

Lia admitted he didn’t have the best car even though he ran laps faster then the leader on several occasions in the race.  He knows that with Stafford and Thompson left that his Mystic Missile Motorsports Team will have him ready to go next week.

“I have all the faith in the world in my guys and we’ll work on it and be ready for them at Stafford,” added Lia.  

Lia will return to action this weekend at the Stafford Motor Speedway (CT) - the site of the annual Fall Final.  The 150-lap feature will take place on Sunday, October 4th.

NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour

Martinsville Speedway

September 27th, 2009

Donny Lia – No. 4

Mystic Missile Racing

Car Owner: Bob Garbarino

Hutter Racing Engines

Donny Lia Overcomes Spin for Eighth-Place Finish

Donny Lia Race Recap

Jim Dupont Photo