Keith Rocco Gets SK Modified Win At Waterford; Jeff Smith Wins Dramatic Late Model Duel

Keith Rocco recovered from a rough second week at the Waterford Speedbowl by taking his ride back victory lane.

Keith Rocco celebrates Saturday at the Waterford Speedbowl (Photo: Cassie Rocco)

Rocco, of Wallingford, won 35-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified feature Saturday at the Waterford Speedbowl.

It was the second SK Modified victory of the season at Waterford for Rocco, who won the season opening event on April 8. Mechanical issues relegated Rocco to a 17th place finish last Saturday at Waterford.

Ted Christopher of Plainville was second and Frank Mucciacciaro Jr. of Milford third.

Rocco passed Diego Monahan for second on lap 23 and then went by Mucciacciaro for the lead on lap 27. Rocco then held off the charges of Christopher on a lap 33 restart.

In the 30-lap Late Model feature, Smith won in a dramatic battle that saw he and Dillon Moltz trade the lead 12 times over the final 25 laps.

Allen Coates of Ledyard won the 25-lap Street Stock feature. Chris Meyer of North Franklin was second and Al Stone III of Durham third.

Garrett Denton of Hope Valley, R.I. won the 25-lap Mini Stock feature. Ken Cassidy Jr. of Lisbon was second and Bill Leonard of Charlestown, R.I. third.

Randy Churchill Jr. of Oakdale won the 25-lap SK Light Modified feature. Cam McDermott of Scituate, R.I. was second and Corey Barry of Plainfield third.

It was the first victory of the season for Smith, of Old Lyme. Moltz spun on the final lap after contact with Bruce Thomas Jr. and ended up seventh. Rich Staskowski of Hope Valley, R.I. was second and Jason Palmer of Berlin third.