WATERFORD – Keith Rocco has watched the Northeastern Midget Association’s Lite division from the pits at the Waterford Speedbowl and had visions of climbing behind the wheel of one of the cars.
Keith Rocco celebrates Saturday at the Waterford Speedbowl
Saturday at the Speedbowl was supposed to be a test for the Wallingford driver to see just how he could get used to the feel of one for some appearances later this year.
The test turned into a trip to victory lane in his first appearance in the division.
Rocco, still wearing a brace from the broken left wrist he suffered in late July, went by Christian Briggs for the lead with 14 laps left and held off Ian Cummens over the closing laps to win the 25-lap NEMA Lite feature Saturday at Waterford in his first appearance in a Midget.
“I’ve been watching these things for years thinking man I want to drive one of those those things,” Rocco said. “I’ve been dying to drive one of these for years. Even though I’ve only got one good arm, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity.
Cummens, of Lydell, Pa., held on for second and Brandon Igo of Enfield was third.
Rocco drove a car for team owner Frank Manafort. He tested in the car briefly at Waterford on Thursday. He said the plan for Saturday was for him to run near the rear of the 18-car field for the feature and get a feel for the car.
That plan went out the window immediately as Rocco passed about 11 cars in the first two laps.
“I couldn’t resist,” Rocco said. “The size of this track, it’s just awesome to run on. You can go top, you can go bottom, you can go wherever you want and make it work. I found something new to do.”
It was the fourth different type of car Rocco has won in at the Speedbowl. He also has victories in SK Modifieds, Late Models and Street Stocks.
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