Late Model Victory Matches Historic Track Record For Keith Rocco At Waterford

WATERFORD – One down, one to go for Keith Rocco.

Keith Rocco

Coming into Sunday’s Bash at the Bowl at the Waterford Speebdowl, the continuation of the weather delayed Finale Weekend Sunday, Keith Rocco needed two victories to set a new record for total wins in a single season at the shoreline oval.

He made the most of his first event.

Rocco, of Wallingford, won the 50-lap Late Model feature to match the track’s season record for victories in one year with 23. Don Collins set the mark for wins in 1960.

“If all else fails we tied and we tied something that was done [in 1960],” Rocco said. “Whether we beat it or not is another thing. Either way, when you see his name you’re going to see ours next to it.”

Glenn Boss of Danielson was second and Jeff Smith of Old Lyme third.

It was the 12th victory in 21 Late Model events this year at Waterford for Rocco, who clinched his first Late Model track championship with two events still remaining.

“Crazy Horse Chassis built us an awesome piece of equipment and we were really able to showcase what kind of car and what kind of team we put together and how good we all worked together and meshed,” said Rocco, who drives for team owner Scott Fearn.

Rocco will attempt to beat the record for wins in the 50-lap SK Modified feature later today. In addition to his 12 Late Model victories, Rocco had nine SK Modified features before Saturday, one Valenti Modified Racing Series win and one Pro Four Modified feature win this year at Waterford.

The Late Model race was stopped after 34 laps last Sunday because of rain. Rocco restarted the race in the lead. Ray Christian actually passed him for the lead on a restart with 15 laps remaining, but Rocco went back to the lead for good a lap later.

“It took a little while for everything to heat up,” Rocco said. “It just didn’t seem like it wanted to run on the first few restarts just because it was cold. The temperature gauge was still down and it wasn’t running that great. But once everything got up to temperature it seemed like the normal car we’ve had”

Rocco held off Boss on a green-white-checkered finish.

“You’re not going to beat Keith down here,” Boss said. “He’s got it figured out. Hopefully he gets another one and gets the most wins for a season here.”