End Run: Keith Rocco Wins In SK Modified Photo Finish At Waterford Speedbowl

WATERFORD – The reigning ultimate showman of the Waterford Speedbowl was back it Saturday, giving fans at the shoreline oval a display well worth the price of admission.

Keith Rocco celebrates his seventh SK Modified victory of the season at the Waterford Speedbowl Saturday

Rocco beat Tyler Chadwick to the checkered by inches to win the 35-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified feature Saturday at the Waterford Speedbowl.

It was the seventh SK Modified victory of the season at Waterford for Rocco, of Wallingford.

Rocco beat Chadwick, of Ledyard, to the line by 0.001 of a second.

Rocco moved to third past Frank Mucciaciarro Jr. with 11 laps remaining and then to second past Lutz with five laps remaining. At that point Chadwick looked to have enough advantage to keep Rocco in second, but that lead disappeared when the caution flew with three laps left.

On the ensuing restart Rocco got under Chadwick coming to the white flag and the two went side-by-side for the final lap.

“That was a lot of fun racing with Tyler,” Rocco said. “He ran me hard on the top and I knew I only had one shot with two to go. I used the last bullet in the holster. That was awesome running side-by-side. The fan’s have got to love that. … This is short track racing at its best here, we put a display on me and Tyler.”

Said Chadwick: “He just gave us a nice little shot going into turn one and got me a little upset and he got in there. It was a great move on his part. Once he got me a little loose I knew he was going to be right in there. It was really fun. We were banging wheels at the finish that close. I’m glad I could put on a show for the fans. I had a great car, obviously the best car got us, he’s always the best car here every week. It’s definitely a little heartbreaking to lose it that close but it was fun the last couple laps.”