Keith Rocco celebrates victory in the SK Modified feature Wednesday at Thompson Speedway with his daughter Giuliana and son KJ
THOMPSON – When the SK Modifieds last raced at Thompson Speedway on July 8, it proved a short evening for Keith Rocco.
The Wallingford driver got involved in a first lap wreck that left him on the sidelines to watch Todd Owen win and Ryan Preece pul away at the top of the division’s standings.
Wednesday Rocco bounced back in perfect fashion.
Rocco held off a charging Steve Masse over the closing laps to win the 30-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified feature Thursday at Thompson.
It was the second victory of the season at Thompson for Rocco.
Masse, of Bellingham, Mass., was second and Ted Christopher of Plainville third.
“It was frustrating the last time we were here we had such a good car and we didn’t make it past turn one,” Rocco said. “… Tonight the car was just awesome.”
Rocco came into the evening second in the standings, 13 points behind Ryan Preece. But a rough night for Preece saw Rocco vaulting to the point lead. Preece pulled off the track with mechanical issues after 14 laps and finished 18th of 20 cars in the field.
On a lap 18 restart Ted Christopher got by leader Woody Pitkat through turn one, but contact from Pitkat sent Christopher spinning. Pitkat and third place running Troy Talman got collected in the mess.
“Teddy cleared him and then Woody kind of tried to do the cross over it looked like,” Rocco said. “Next thing I knew everybody went spinning.”
On the restart it was Masse leading with Rocco in second. On lap 22 Rocco got low on Masse in turn three to take over the lead. Masse tried a crossover move in turn four, but Rocco defended the lead.
Masse spent the final seven laps hounding Rocco’s bumper right to the checkered flag.
“He was pushing us pretty good down the straightaway,” Rocco said. “But making the move to dive bomb somebody and make it stick is pretty tough. I think his car was too free to do that.”
Congrats keith. Nice racing.
What led to TC driving the 79 last night? Was Ronnie Williams not available?
Shawn – do you know how TC ended up in the 79
at Thompson last week?
Rafter Fan,
I’m not sure how that deal came together with that car.