Lia comes to Hagans Racing after a successful three-year stint in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour where he was the 2003 Rookie of the Year. He won a race in both his rookie and sophomore seasons and added two more victories in 2005. In additio, Lia has won some of the top unsanctioned Modified races in the country, including the 2004 North vs. South Shootout in North Carolina and the $10,000 outlaw modified race in Massachusetts. Hagans fielded Dodges for RE/MAX Rookie of the Year Joey Miller in 2005 and finished second in overall points.