Keith Rocco salutes fans at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl after winning the Late Model feature Saturday and taking sole possession of the top spot on the track’s all-time win list
WATERFORD – The throne is now his own at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl for Keith Rocco.
Rocco won the 30-lap Late Model feature Saturday at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl to take over sole possession of the top spot on the track’s all-time win list.
The 30-year old Rocco came into the night tied with Phil Rondeau at the top of the win list at the 65-year old track with 106 career victories.
Rocco grew up at the track watching his father Ronnie grabbing wins in a Modified in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s.
“It’s awesome,” Rocco said. “The Speedbowl is where I grew up as a kid, playing behind the grandstands … racing little cars around. That’s the way I was brought here up, watching my father grow up racing here. To come down here and become the all-time winningest driver is absolutely awesome.”
It was the 30th career Late Model division victory for Rocco, of Wallingford, all coming since 2011 driving for team owner Scott Fearn. He is the track’s all-time winningest SK Modified division driver with 66 victories in that division.
Rocco got his first career victory at the track in a Limited Sportsman at the track on Aug 30, 2003.
He also has four Limited Sportsman wins, three Valenti Modified Racing Series victories, two Mr. Rooter New England Truck Series wins, one Pro Four Modified win and one NEMA Lite win.
Of his 107 victories, 103 have come since May 3, 2008 when he got his first SK Modified win at the track.
“This is awesome,” Rocco said. “To do it in the short period of time at my age is something most people probably wouldn’t believe.”
Rondeau recorded his 106 wins between 1983-2004.
And the emotion of the victory was helped with the race for the lead. Rocco had two beat his twin brother Jeff Rocco to get the win.
Keith Rocco passed his twin brother on lap 22 and drove away in the closing stages.
“I think me and my brother will never forget this win,” Keith Rocco said. “I had to race my brother for it and that’s pretty awesome.”
Jeff Rocco of Wallingford ended up second and Anthony Flannery of East Hampton third.
“I think it just adds to the storyline all together battling for the win,” Jeff Rocco said. “We were leaning on each other, we were sideways, it was a fun race all in all. He had a better car. We’re going to keep working on it and hopefully we can get one soon.”
Way to go Keith! Keep it up, I doubt anyone will ever break your record once you’ve retired.
Except maybe your son, can’t wait to see him in a kart or quarter midget in a few years!
Not taking anything away Keith he is a great driver, Phil’s wins were in 1 division, Keith’s were in multiple
Congrats Keith..
Stevie,
No, Phil Rondeau’s wins were not all in the Late Model division. He had 101 wins in the Late Model division.
An interesting thing to know would be how long did it take Rondeau to win his 106 victories versus Keith to win his 107th victory.
Larry,
It’s in the story. Rocco’s first win was in 2003. Rondeau’s wins came from 1983 to 2004. Of Rocco’s 107 wins, 103 have come since 2008.
Shawn, sorry for missing the stats in the article. So if Keith keeps up his pace of victories he would have about 180+/- victories in the same time as Rondeau. However I doubt Keith will be racing much longer in so many races at the bowl. Its just a matter of time until he moves on to bigger things.
I think someone needs to go talk to Phil and put a couple of cars together for him. Can you imagine the stands and the press if this went back and forth week after week. I know i would go every week to watch Keith get some competition and for good measure give Fox, Reed, and Kobyluck a call.
For that matter why not get Bob Potter out of his ride-a-long SK at Stafford and get him back at the bowl.
Larry nothing against Keith, but racers usually don’t move onto bigger things at the age of thirty
We could all get on our soapboxes and debate who did what,and in what amount of time,and who raced against who,and how many cars competed.Phil was an outstandind driver and fabricator during his racing career ,and it was worth all the money to see him race at all 3 connecticut tracks.Now keith is doing the same thing and its great to watch him be successful..Its important to note that these guys would be quick to credit all of those who have helped them along the way and to note that in keiths case,his brother jeff has been there for all of it, weather its at the track, or at the shop,its my understanding that jeff,as well as others in the rocco clan have been right there for keith and thats what i feel should be noted here.Keith also made a nice comment involving teddy when he said that ted had bested him the week prior,and it had just made him work harder.i thought that was a class statement.