Ed Puleo celebrate his first career SK Modified victory Saturday at the Waterford Speedbowl (Photo: Waterford Speedbowl)
For the last two years Ed Puleo has watched as Keith Rocco has racked up victory after victory after victory in front of him in the SK Modified division at the Waterford Speedbowl.
Saturday night, in their first race as teammates, it was Rocco watching Puleo grab the checkered.
Puleo, of Branford, won the season opening 35-lap NASCAR All-American Series SK Modified feature Saturday at the Waterford Speedbowl.
It was the first SK Modified division victory for Puleo, who made the jump to the division in 2012.
Rocco, of Wallingford, who has joined Puleo on the Mr. Rooter Racing team this season, was second. Craig Lutz of Miller Place, N.Y. was third.
Puleo took the lead from Lutz on lap seven then held off the charges of Rocco over the closing laps.
Puleo capped off the night with another victory, in a division he’s well familiar with gathering wins in. The former Street Stock champion won that division’s 25-lap feature. Monte Gibbs of Killingworth was second and Phil Evans of Uncasville third.
It turned out to be a quality first night of defending championships for Rocco, who won the SK Modified and Late Model division titles at the track in 2013.
Rocco scored the victory in the 30-lap Late Model feature. Vin Esposito of Waterbury was second and Bruce Thomas Jr. of Groton third.
Doug Curry of Groton won the 25-lap Mini Stock feature and Dylan Izzo of Westport won the 25-lap Legends feature.
YES! He deserves it after all these years! And to beat Kieth…that’s a real win.