Keith Rocco
WATERFORD – Last week at the Waterford Speebdowl, Diego Monahan did everything he could keep Keith Rocco at bay at the front of the SK Modified field at the Waterford Speedbowl.
Monahan accomplished that feat, with Rocco finishing second to him in the Sept. 20 SK Modified feature at Waterford.
Saturday Rocco was back here’s been for the majority of the SK Modified events this season at the Waterford Speedbowl.
Rocco, of Wallingford, went by Rob Janovic for the lead and then cruised to victory in the 35-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified feature at Waterford.
It was the 11th SK Modified victory of the season for Rocco at Waterford. Rocco had already clinched his second consecutive SK Modified championship – and fourth overall – before Saturday’s event.
It was the 102nd career feature victory for Rocco at Waterford in 11 seasons of competition at the 64-year old track, moving him to second place all-time at the facility. Rocco broke a tie in the rankings with Don Collins. Phil Rondeau’s 106 victories at the track leads the all-time standings.
Janovic, of Waterford, was second and Joey Gada of Salem third in the caution free event, which was concluded in just under nine minutes.
Rocco passed Janovic for the lead with 15 laps remaining. Rocco went by Jeffrey Gallup for second with 26 laps remaining and quickly erased the big lead Janovic had created before making his move for the lead off turn four.
“I couldn’t wait to get up there and race with Rob,” Rocco said. “He’s one of those guys, he’s going to run you hard but he’s going to give you room when you get there. I was able to get the big run off [the corner] and get under him.”
Said Janovic: “I led for 21 laps. As the race went on, after [Rocco] got the lead, my spotter kept telling me how far away we were from third place. I don’t know if that was making me feel worse or better. We would have had the entire field dusted if it wasn’t for that kid there, whatever his name is, in the [No. 88].”
Leave a Reply