08/02/2003

DONNY LIA EARNS FIRST WIN

Donny Lia Of Merrick, N.Y. drove to his first Featherlite Modified Series, NASCAR Touring victory in the Miller Lite 200 at Riverhead Raceway. Lia's first series win occurred in his 19th career start.

"This is really very special to win at Riverhead," said Lia. "I'm from Long Island, the track is on Long Island and so many of the drivers on the series are from around here. It's a special win but I owe it all to my crew. They put in a lot of hours each week so I can compete on this series."

Although he entered the season with only eight career starts Lia has recorded impressive statistics this year. He is currently leading the Featherlite Modified Series Rookie of the Year standings. He scored his first series pole at Lake Erie Speedway in June. He had earned 1 Top-5 and 2 Top-10 finishes in 2003, prior to his victory at Riverhead.

Lia dominated the 200 lap race leading on two occasions for a total 196 laps. He was chased to the checkered flag by Ted Christopher in the Mystique Motorsports Chevrolet. Christopher, a two time winner on the series this season and former winner at Riverhead, was pressured by Howie Brode over the closing laps. Brode finished third in the Petro Fuel Oil Chevrolet.

Frank Vigliarolo finished fourth in the Major Motion/Empire Water Dodge. Jamie Tomaino rounded out the Top-5 in the Perth Amboy Spring Chevrolet. Tomaino, who started 26th, earned the POWERade Power move of the race award.

Chuck Steuer of Bohemia, N.Y. set fast time in qualifying to earn the Bud Pole Award. It was the third career Bud Pole for Steuer, all have occurred at Riverhead.

The Top-8 qualifiers drew for starting position. Steuer picked the seventh starting position. Lia, who had qualified seventh, picked the pole. He was joined on the front row by Eric Beers.

Lia led from the start of the race to lap 42. On a lap 43 restart Vigliarolo took the lead. Four laps later Lia went around Vigliarolo down the backstretch and never relinquished the top spot again.

Featherlite Modified Series points leader Todd Szegedy finished 15th after being involved in an altercation in the opening laps. He now leads John Blewett, III, who finished 8th, by 63 points. Christopher's second place finish moved him into third, 90 points behind Szegedy.

The next event for the Featherlite Modified Series is the ASB American Classic 150 at Stafford Motor Speedway, in Stafford Springs, Conn. on Aug. 8.

Sources:  NASCAR Featherlite Modified Series PR
Posted:  August 3, 2003