Two-thirds of the top-three in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national standings this week call Connecticut tracks home.
Keith Rocco of Wallingford, used a successful last week at the state’s three short tracks to jump from second to first in Whelen All-American Series national standings.
Rocco, the 2010 national champion, moved past two-time national champion Lee Pulliam this week.
Rocco competes full-time in the SK Modified divisions at Stafford Motor Speedway, New London-Waterford Speedbowl and Thompson Speedway. He had a third place finish last Wednesday at Thompson and a win and a second place in twin features Saturday at Waterford.
Rocco has 590 points with six victories, 15 top-five’s and 17 top-10’s in 18 starts third.
Under the point structure for the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Division I standings, a race winner receives two points for every car in the event up to 18 cars. Second place receives two fewer points and so on through the field. Three bonus points will be awarded to a race winner with a single-digit starting position and five bonus points will be awarded to a race winner with a double-digit starting position. Whelen All-American Series points season will run through Sunday, Sept. 20.
Pulliam, of Semora, N.C., fell from the lead for the first time this season. Pulliam has 10 victories, 19 top-fives and 21 top-10’s in 22 starts this season at South Boston (Va.) Speedway, Langley Speedway in Hampton, Va., Motor Mile Speedway in Radford, Va. and Caraway Speedway in Sophia, N.C. Pulliam won national championships in 2012 and 2013.
Ryan Preece of Berlin jumped from fourth to third this week. Preece competes full-time in the SK Modified divisions at Stafford and Thompson Speedway and part-time in the Tour Type Modified division at Riverhead (N.Y.) Raceway. He has four wins, 12 top-five’s and 17 top-10’s in 17 starts this year.
Ted Christopher of Plainville, who competes full-time in the SK Modified divisions at Stafford and Waterford and part-time at Thompson jumped from 14th to 13th in country this week with 325 points. Christopher has three victories in 17 starts.
Rowan Pennink of Huntingdon Valley, Pa., who competes full-time in the SK Modified division at Stafford, is 24th in the country with three victories in eight starts for 251 points.
Ted Christopher does not compete at Thompson
LJ,
He did on April 12.
Watch how hard Rocco and Preece race if they have a chance to win that title… Everyone else better look out cuz you aint seen nothing yet.
Preece has no chance at that title. He will find a way to lose like the last two Stafford championships he has lost. Bank on it.
Probably true in the know, just like the 8 points he lost Friday night at Stafford going from 2nd to 6th with that daring move at the end of the race.
Woody will win the race
Missing 3 races at the bowl isn’t going to help.