RIVERHEAD, N.Y. (Aug. 6, 2005) Donny Lia of Jericho, N.Y. led the final 162 laps of the Riverhead 200 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race at Riverhead Raceway to record his second win of the season. It was the third career victory for Lia at Riverhead and his fourth series win overall. He was the defending champion of this event.“We’ve struggled the last couple races,” said Lia. “But it always seems we can turn things around when we race here at Riverhead. The team needed the win tonight. Hopefully the momentum will carry over to the next race.” Lia led the most laps of the race in his Huntington Honda Chevrolet and earned the Tommy Baldwin Memorial Award. He was pressured through most of the event by defending series champion Tony Hirschman of Northampton, Pa. who finished just .37 seconds behind Hirschman’s runner-up placement was his fifth consecutive Top-5 finish in the Kamco Supply Chevrolet. He sits second in the standings and now trails leader Ted Christopher of Plainville, Conn. by just 24 points. Christopher finished 10^th. Jerry Marquis finished third in the Reynolds Auto Wrecking Dodge to earn his third consecutive Top-3 finish. Marquis is fourth in the standings, 141 points behind Christopher, and just one marker head of Lia. Chuck Hossfeld of Buffalo, N.Y. finished fourth in the Creative Racing Products Ford. Hossfeld, currently third in the championship battle, closed to 54 points behind Christopher. Last week’s winner Eric Beers rounded out the Top-5 in the Roby’s Propane/Reynolds Auto Chevrolet. John Blewett, III set fast time in qualifying to earn the Bud Pole. The Top-6 qualifiers drew for their starting position. Blewett picked the sixth starting position. Lia drew the pole and was joined on the front row by John Fortin.

At the opening green Fortin jumped out front and led the first 38 laps. His chance at victory ended on lap 39 restart when he broke the transmission. Lia took over the top spot and never relinquished the lead.The next event for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour is at Stafford Motor Speedway in Stafford Springs, Conn. on Aug.12.

RIVERHEAD, N.Y. – Unofficial results of the Riverhead 200 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race at Riverhead Raceway showing starting position, driver, hometown, make of car, laps completed, winner’s average speed, reason out if any and money won.

      1. (1) Donny Lia, Jericho N.Y., Chevrolet, 200, 48.636 mph, $7,500

      2. (8) Tony Hirschman, Northampton PA., Chevrolet, 200, $4,200

      3. (9) Jerry Marquis, Broad Brook Conn., Dodge, 200, $3,000

      4. (12) Chuck Hossfeld, Buffalo N.Y., Ford, 200, $2,500

      5. (21) Eric Beers, Northampton Pa., Chevrolet, 200, $2,200

      6. (26) Zach Sylvester, Lebanon Conn., Chevrolet, 200, $2,600

      7. (27) Mike Christopher, Plainville Conn., Pontiac, 200, $2,050

      8. (15) Dave Etheridge, Portland Conn., Chevrolet, 200, $1,900

      9. (5) Mike Stefanik, Coventry R.I., Chevrolet, 200, $1,800

      10. (18) Ted Christopher, Plainville Conn., Chevrolet, 199, $1,800

      11. (13) Bill Park, Manorville N.Y., Chevrolet, 199, $975

      12. (3) Howie Brode, Bayshore N.Y., Chevrolet, 198, $950

      13. (24) Rick Fuller, Auburn Mass., Pontiac, 198, $1,725

      14. (23) Steve Whitt, Farmingdale N.J., Dodge, 187, Steering, $1,875

      15. (7) Kevin Goodale, Riverhead N.Y., Chevrolet, 134, $1,550

      16. (20) Dick Houlihan, Bridgewater Mass., Chevrolet, 126, Handling, $1,525

      17. (22) Tyler Haydt, Kunkletown Pa., Chevrolet, 115, Handling, $1,500

      18. (14) Jimmy Blewett, Howell N.J., Dodge, 115, $775

      19. (19) Gregg Shivers, Rocky Point N.Y., Pontiac, 103, $1,450

      20. (10) Eddie Flemke, Southington Conn., Chevrolet, 96, $1,425

      21. (28) Wayne Anderson, Yaphank N.Y., Chevrolet, 79, Overheating, $725

      22. (25) Doug Coby, Milford Conn., Chevrolet, 75, $1,425

      23. (2) John Fortin, Holtsville N.Y., Chevrolet, 39, Transmission, $725

      24. (17) Nevin George, Kunkletown Pa., Chevrolet, 32, Accident, $1,425

      25. (16) Chuck Steuer, Bohemia N.Y., Chevrolet, 31, Rocker Arm, $725

      26. (11) Frank Vigliarolo, Jr, Mt. Sinai N.Y., Dodge, 28, Radiator, $725

      27. (6) John Blewett, III, Howell N.J., Dodge, 17, Accident, $1,875

      28. (4) Tony Ferrante, Jr, Franklin Square, Chevrolet, 5, Accident, $1,125

Failed to Qualify: (9) Kevin Konopka (#51), Chris Young (#49), Renee Dupuis (#90), Thomas Rogers (#6), Jamie Tomaino (#99), Jimmy Storace (#47), Wade Cole (#33), Jake Marosz (#9), Larry Altholtz (#35).

Time of Race: 1 hrs., 1 mins, 41 secs Average Speed: 48.636 mph Margin of Victory: .37 Seconds

      BUD POLE AWARD: John Blewett, III, 00 G. Lopes Construction/Sherm's Dodge

      FEATHERLITE MOST IMPROVED DRIVER AWARD: Steve Whitt, 06 Greenfield Dodge Dodge

      POWERADE POWER MOVE OF THE RACE: Zach Sylvester, 15 TAS Country Homes Chevrolet

      TOMMY BALDWIN MEMORIAL AWARD: Donny Lia, 18 Huntington Honda Chevrolet

      Caution Flags: Laps 5-12; 18-24; 27-31; 33-39; 47-54; 59-63; 130-134; 190-197. 8 for 53 laps.

      Lap Leaders: John Fortin 1-38, Donny Lia 39-200.

      Total Laps Led: Donny Lia 162, John Fortin 38. 1 changes involving 2 drivers.

Unofficial Top 20 Driver Points: Ted Christopher 1540, Tony Hirschman 1516, Chuck Hossfeld 1482, Jerry Marquis 1399, Donny Lia 1398, Eric Beers 1343, Zach Sylvester 1333, Rick Fuller 1330, Doug Coby 1300, Mike Christopher 1249, Eddie Flemke 1143, Jamie Tomaino 1127, Chris Kopec 1083, Steve Whitt 1050, Gregg Shivers 1009, Tyler Haydt * 1004, Dave Etheridge 978, Kevin Konopka 955, Nevin George 953, Renee Dupuis 952

      Next Race: Stafford Springs, CT

• Denotes SUNOCO Rookie of the Year Contender