Keith Rocco Remains Atop Whelen All-American Series National Standings; Ryan Preece Right Behind

Keith Rocco (Photo: Getty Images for NASCAR)

The Connecticut short racing scene continues to host the top-two drivers in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national standings this week.

For the sixth consecutive week, Keith Rocco of Wallingford was able to keep hold of the top spot in the standings. Ryan Preece was in second place for the second consecutive week.

Rocco, the 2010 national champion, competes full-time in the SK Modified divisions at Waterford, Stafford Speedway and Thompson Speedway.

Rocco, of Wallingford, has 640 points with eight victories, 19 top-five’s and 22 top-10’s in 26 starts.

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.

Preece, of Berlin, has 597 points. 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. He has seven wins, 18 top-five’s and 24 top-10’s in 25 starts this year.

Lee Pulliam, of Semora, N.C., has 586 points points on the strength of 13 victories, 22 top-fives and 24 top-10’s in 27 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.

Ted Christopher of Plainville, who competes full-time in the SK Modified divisions at Stafford and Waterford jumped from 14th to eighth this week with 464 points with four victories in 24 starts.

Rowan Pennink of Huntingdon Valley, Pa., who competes full-time in the SK Modified division at Stafford, moved from 19th to 18th with 401 points on five victories in 13 starts.