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THOMPSON – The sounds of engines firing. Crews roaming the grounds of the facility. Fans pouring through the front gates.
All signs that winter is over and it’s time for Icebreaker weekend at Thompson Speedway.
Another sign? Keith Rocco back in victory lane.
Icebreaker weekend typically means the return of Keith Rocco to the top of the field at Thompson and Sunday proved that once again.
Rocco, of Wallingford, held off the race long charges of Todd Owen to win the 30-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified feature at the Icebreaker Sunday at Thompson Speedway.
“I set my expectations high,” Rocco said. “The Icebreaker is the one that kind of gets your momentum rolling. Winning your first race of the season is always good. It just sets the bar. That’s what we want to do, go out and win races.”
Owen, of Somers, was second and Woody Pitkat of Stafford third.
And while Icebreaker’s often mean victory for Rocco, Sunday’s event was hardly a cake walk for the seven-time Thompson Speedway SK Modified champion.
Owen gave Rocco a fight from the drop of the green flag. Owen got under Rocco for the lead on lap six. Rocco clawed back the next lap to regain the top spot.
Owen stalked Rocco for the rest of the way, but couldn’t find the way by him.
“Todd is good,” Rocco said. “He’s a fierce competitor and he’s going to run you hard. I knew he was going to pressure us the whole race, he wasn’t going to fall off. That’s pretty much how it went.
“It was fun to at least have him pass me and have to pass him back. It made for some good racing.”
Who wrecked the 11 of Vassar? Looked like he was pissed at someone.