Keith Rocco Keeps Up Heated Roll In SK Modified Opener Thursday At Thompson

THOMPSON – Keith Rocco proved victorious in the opening act of twin-bill SK Modified action Thursday at Thompson International Speedway.

Keith Rocco greets fans in victory lane after his victory in the first of two SK Modified feature Thursday at Thompson Speedway

Rocco passed Kerry Malone on a lap 21 restart and never trailed again on the way to victory in the first of two 25-lap SK Modified features Thursday.

It was the second consecutive victory and third in four events this year at Thompson for Rocco, of Wallingford.

Woody Pitkat of Stafford was second and Malone, of Needham, Mass., third.

Rocco had actually passed Malone for the lead with a diving move in turn two on lap 20, but the caution flew seconds later, putting Malone back in the lead for the restart.

Though Rocco wasted little time on the restart, easily overtaking Malone when the green flag came back out.

“I was trying to race clean and put a good show on,” Rocco said. “I didn’t want to have to use him up. But after being on the outside of him he put me up pretty high, but I would have done the same thing. I think he was ready for me to come back after him on the bottom and I just got him right there. Then the yellow came out and I had to do it all over on the top. It was a good race.”