Keith Rocco
STAFFORD – How does Keith Rocco fix a disappointing night behind the wheel of his SK Modified at Stafford Motor Speedway?
Follow up frustration with celebration.
After getting wrecked while leading late in the SK Modified feature Friday at Stafford Motor Speedway, Rocco bounced back to win the Valenti Modified Racing Series Lincoln Tech 80 at the track.
It was the second Valenti Modified Racing Series victory of the season for Rocco, who runs part-time in the division. He won the series’ season opening event in April at the Waterford Speedbowl.
“It definitely makes us feel better, but we should have two tonight,” Rocco said.
Tommy Barrett Jr. of Millis, Mass. was second and Justin Bonsignore of Holtsville, N.Y. third.
Rocco went to the lead early, and stayed there until Barrett took over the top spot on lap 51. Ted Christopher went by Barrett for the lead a lap later dropping Rocco to third.
Christopher ended up in the wall in turn two on lap 56 and Rocco went by Woody Pitkat for second on lap 58.
On lap 60, Rocco made a diving move under Barrett for the lead and went unchallenged the rest of the way.
“I think I started off the race a little too hot and I just set a little bit too fast of a pace,” Rocco said. “But it really carried us the whole way. I had to kind of let Barrett and [Ted Christopher] go there, I was a little too hot and had to let the thing cool down. … With all the changes they made to this steel-headed motor, I think it came down to the [SK Modified] drivers. The motor was real real flat off the corner and you had to drive it like and [SK Modified] and really keep it wound up. Tommy Barrett ran a great race. I didn’t think I was going to get back by him once he got by me, but this car was awesome tonight.
Said Barrett: “Keith had a real good car at the end. Mine went away a little bit. I think the right rear [tire] might have gave up. I was pretty loose coming off the corner. We didn’t have enough forward bite for Keith tonight. Hat’s off to them for the job they did.”
Like him or not, Keith Rocco is a excellent shoe who does well in all divisions in any competitive car he races. His success in the MRS proves this point. I would love to see him in a quality mod tour ride.
did tc get taken out?
Why even bother with the mod tour? The tour is a joke now, over priced for little purse. Big loosing proposition. VMRS is a better show and better for the racers.
Another awesome job by Keith. He’s put some time in on the Staffford cars and can the performance is back these last couple weeks. Preece better get used to second again!
Keith can usually drive the wheels off anything he sits in !!