Big 50: Keith Rocco Hits SK Modified Milestone Mark With Win At Waterford Speedbowl

WATERFORD – Keith Rocco has always been fast on the track at the Waterford Speedbowl.

Keith Rocco celebrates his SK Modified victory Saturday at the Waterford Speedbowl (Photo: Race Dog Photography)

And in turn the Wallingford driver is proving quick in chasing down milestones in the track record books.

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

Kyle James of Ashaway, R.I. was second and Ed Puleo of Branford third.

It was the sixth SK Modified victory in 16 events this year at Waterford for Rocco and his 50th career SK Modified win at the track, a feat he accomplished in less than six full-time seasons at the track.

Rocco ran four SK Modified events late in the 2007 season at the track before joining the ranks of the division full-time in 2008. He had seven wins in 2008, six in 2009, 10 in 2010, 13 in 2011 and eight in 2012.

Asked what the number of wins in the division means to him Rocco said: “It means I’m that much closer to being on top.”

Being on top would mean surpassing Dennis Gada’s the track’s all-time winningest SK Modified driver, who had 62 victories. Rocco is second on the SK Modified win list at the track.

“I think we can do that in a couple years, the way we’re going,” Rocco said.

Overall Rocco has 68 career victories at Waterford. In addition to the SK Modified, Rocco also has wins in a Late Model, Street Stock, Northeastern Midget Association Lite Midget, a New England Truck Series ride and a Pro Four Modified. Phil Rondeau is the track’s all-time winningest driver overall with 106 wins. Rocco is seventh on the all-time overall win list.

Saturday Rocco took the lead from Puleo with 19 laps remaining and never trailed again.

“Last week we came from the back to the front three times in a 35-lap feature,” Rocco said of finishing second on Aug. 3 at Waterford. “Tonight it was a lot easier not getting spun out and put around with a flat tire.”