WATERFORD – During his career running at the Waterford Speedbowl, Keith Rocco has pulled off some amazing feats behind the wheel of an SK Modified.
Todd Ceravolo (left) and Keith Rocco celebrate in victory lane at Waterford (Photo: Mark Caise/Waterford Speedbowl)
He could be called the Magic Man for what he pulled off Saturday.
Rocco, while suspended, captured a victory in one of the biggest events of the season.
When the dust settled at the Speedbowl, Rocco was the winner of record of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Budweiser Modified Nationals 150 at Saturday at the Speedbowl.
Rocco was behind the wheel of his No. 88 SK Modified when the event began on Sept. 1. The race was stopped that day because of rain after nine laps.
Earlier this week Rocco learned that he as being suspended for the remainder of the season at the Speedbowl for his involvement in a fight in the pits at the track after he won the SK Modified feature on Sept. 8.
So Rocco went to the bullpen Saturday and put his father-in-law, Todd Ceravolo behind the wheel of his car. Ceravolo, of Gales Ferry drove it to victory lane.
“We prepared a great car but you need a great driver to go along with it,” Rocco said.
It was the eighth victory of the season for Rocco.
Woody Pitkat of Stafford was second on the track, though the race record will show Rowan Pennink of Huntingdon Valley, Pa. as the race runner-up. Pennink started the event on Sept. 1, but was competing in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour event at Riverhead (N.Y.) Raceway Saturday. Tyler Chadwick of Ledyard was third.
Ceravolo, who had started the event on Sept. 1, in his own car, came from the rear of the field.
“It was just a good race,” Ceravolo said.” It was great chemistry in the pits amongst the guys. It was kind of weird. You hop in a strangers car and you don’t even adjust the mirrors or the seat belts. And oddly enough, Keith don’t even have a mirror in his car.”
With nine laps remaining Ceravolo was running third behind leader Justin Gaydosh and second place Rob Janovic Jr. In turn one, Janovic got a run to the outside of Gaydosh, but Gaydosh turned into Janovic and sent him into the turn two wall. Gaydosh was put the rear and later disqualified.
The incident gave Ceravolo the lead. Ceravolo held off Tyler Chadwick in a side-by-side battle on the ensuing restart.
“Justin was blocking,” Ceravolo said. “That was kind of embarrassing what he was doing up front. Janovic definitely had a better car. He tried him on the bottom and on the top. He finally got a run on him on the outside. … Justin, he was just ridiculous. He wrecked a good racecar there.”
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