Keith Rocco celebrates his Valenti Modified Racing Series victory Sunday at the Waterford Speebdowl with his son KJ
WATERFORD – Keith Rocco wanted to end his 2014 season at the Waterford Speedbowl with a victory in the SK Modified division, which he has dominated all year.
Those hopes went by the wayside when he was forced to give up a half a lap lead over the field with 15 laps remaining in that event because of a broken rocker arm.
So then he took out his frustrations on the competition of the Valenti Modified Racing Series.
Rocco, of Wallingford, proved dominant force on the way to victory in the 100-lap Valenti Modified Racing Series feature Sunday at Finale Weekend at the Waterford Speedbowl.
Tommy Barrett Jr. of Millis, Mass. was second and Richard Savary of Canton, Mass. third.
It was the third Valenti Modified Racing Series victory of the season for Rocco, who competes part-time with the series. He won the division’s season opening event at Waterford on April 13 and then won at Stafford Motor Speedway on July 18.
“Every year we’re doing better and better [with the Valenti Modified Racing Series],” Rocco said. “It’s a real fun series to race and I enjoy it.
“I’d like to run the MRS series full-time but the traveling thing is tough. My car owners, John and [Filomena] Rufrano, they have a business to run and a family and kids and it’s tough on them. If I only get to run the local shows that’s fine. We’re showing what we’re capable of. I just want to go win races.”
Rocco led every lap on the way to his April Valenti Modified Racing Series victory at Waterford. He was nearly as dominant Sunday.
Rocco took the lead on lap 12 when Kyle James’ motor blew under caution. On lap 50 a charging Steve Masse went by Rocco for the lead off of turn four, but on a lap 53 restart, Rocco retook the top spot and never let it out of his hands again.
“Barrett showed that this series is a big strategy game,” Rocco said. “Me and the strategy don’t work out so well so I like to get out front and just try to save as much as I can and it seemed like [Masse] just wanted to race hard. When he got by me I didn’t force the issue. I figured I’d wait until a restart and try to get it back.”
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