Keith Rocco, Ted Christopher, Rowan Pennink In Top-10 Of NASCAR National Short Track Standings

Keith Rocco, with his son KJ, celebrates his fifth SK Modified victory in six features in 2016 last week at Thompson Speedway

With the weeks winding down toward the end of summer, the chase for a second NASCAR Whelen All-American Series National championship continues strong for Wallingford’s Keith Rocco.

Rocco, the 2010 National Champion, currently sits second in the Whelen All-American Series National standings.

Matt Bowling, who has competed this year at Motor Mile Speedway in Radford, Va., Caraway Speedway in Sophia N.C., South Boston (Va.) Speedway, Dominion Raceway in Thornburg, Va., Kingsport (Tenn.) Speedway, East Carolina Motor Speedway in Robersonville, N.C. and Southern National Motorsports Park in Lucama, N.C. currently leads the national standings with 628 points based on eight victories, 23 top-five’s and 26 top-10’s in 28 starts this year.

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. 18.

Rocco, who competes full-time in the SK Modified divisions at Stafford Motor Speedway, the New London-Waterford Speedbowl and Thompson Speedway, has nine victories 16 top-five’s and 23 top-10’s in 27 starts for 621 points.

Chase Purdy, who competes at Greenville Pickens Speedway in Greenville, S.C. and Myrtle Beach (S.C.) Speedway, has 10 victories, 16 top-five’s and 20 top-10’s in 21 starts this year and sits third in the standings with 568 points.

Ted Christopher of Plainville, who competes in the SK Modified divisions at Stafford and Waterford, is fourth nationally with 567 points on the strength of three victories.

Rowan Pennink of Huntingdon Valley, Pa., who competes full-time at Stafford and has three victories this year, is 10th nationally with 505 points.