Back in May Keith Rocco was wondering if he’d have a place to race his SK Modifieds in 2020 thanks to global pandemic restrictions keep three Connecticut short tracks closed.
Saturday Rocco not only completed a three-day run at Connecticut’s three short tracks, he closed it all out in perfect style.
Rocco started deep in the 17-car field Saturday and came out on top of the 35-lap SK Modified feature at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl.
It was the third SK Modified victory in three days for Rocco, of Wallingford. He won in the opening event of 2020 Thursday at Thompson Speedway and got his fourth victory of the season Friday at Stafford Speedway.
Rocco used an outside pass of Kyle James for the lead late to grab the win Saturday.
James ended up second and Joey Gada was third.
Shawn Monahan of Waterford muscled his way to the front and won the 25-lap Sportsman feature.
Ryan Waterman was second and Ryan Morgan third. After the event Morgan took a run at Monahan during the on-track post-race ceremonies.
Wayne Burroughs Jr. of Oakdale won the Bubby Brouwer Memorial 49 for the SK Light Modifieds.
John O’Sullivan was second and Tyler Barry third.
Tyler Chapman of Ellington scored victory in the 30-lap Late Model feature.
Glenn Boss was second and Jason Palmer third.
Mark Panaroni of Ivoryton came out on top of the 25-lap Mini Stock feature.
Tommy Silva was second and Christopher Garside third.
ROCCO RUNS THE SK’S BECAUSE ITS LIKE TAKING CANDY FROM A BABY NO COMPATION PUT HIM IN A TOUR CAR AND HE SUCKS
Gary,
Which SK do you drive? I mean, since it’s so easy out there, you must have quite a record of great finishes. We’d love to toss some accolades your way.
ROCCO RULED THIS WEEKEND. ITS NICE TO SEE A HARD WORKING RACER RAKE IN THE $$$$ P.S. TOUR RACING IS BORING 99% OF THE TIME, AND I LOVE MODIFIEDS BUT SOMETIMES THE TRUTH SUCKS…
I think Gary is just one of those wannabes who wishes he could but can’t.
Good size fields for starting so late in the season and hopefully it will be stronger in 2021.
Keith Rocco is on a roll, that spells danger to his competitors regardless of the track.
ROCCO WORKS HARD DESERVES WHAT HE GETS .. HOW ABOUT MONAHAN THE VELVET HAMMER ALMOST WRECKING MORGAN AND THEN A DQ?? WHAT WAS THE OFFENDING COMPONENT …HIS BRAIN??? A TOTAL HACK THAT MONAHAN. WHAT WOULD JESUS DO ??
Earl the fields were good at two out of three tracks the other was like a match race with Todd. 2021 will be better but unfortunately I don’t think Keith will have a chance at the national points championship as in years past unless he finds some NASCAR tracks. In all likely hood Thompson won’t be NASCAR next year if the track is run by the two who are promoting it now. They have three tracks between them and none are NASCAR sanctioned tracks. Waterford has been for years now so unfortunately with just one track there isn’t a chance to contend.
You never know who’s going to show up to Waterford week to week. Victory Bergenty made 3 chicks in the lite race. Max Zachem, Nick Salva, Adam Gada, Molleur, Galko in the SK’s. Friends tried the Pizza from truck and said it was the best Pizza they’ve had at a race track. I hope somebody got the video of Morgan and Monahan during post race interviews. They call him Shawn the showman for a reason. Last night it was during and after the race. Holy hell, what a epic day of racing fireworks at the bowl. WELCOME TO THE SPEEDBOWL! As proclaimed by the velvet hammer 😂😂
Shawn brought 3 street stocks to the bowl yesterday. Eric Lutz drove the wagon in the bowl race. Shawn along with Baxter were dq’d from the outlaw race.
“Which SK do you drive? I mean, since it’s so easy out there, you must have quite a record of great finishes. We’d love to toss some accolades your way.”
That’s not a fair response. You could say that for any critique of any team or driver.
How about this?
-Rocco has won a couple times recently in tour modifieds against top notch competition in the Stafford opens. Not just winning but winning convincingly. And he setup the car and may have had a hand in building the power.
-Rocco one would assume is not in a position to travel extensively as a family man and with substantial commitments to KRR.
-Rocco has business model that is local. A very successful business model it would appear that now is centered around Stafford.
-Rocco is KRR that builds, sets up and provides rental cars for other teams. Rocco is associated with the engine builder that provides the power for the cars KRR delivers. Rocco is a provider of racing equipment more then a consumer of it.
Rocco isn’t a driver. He’s a freakin Stafford SK modified cornerstone and arguably the most knowledgeable person in SK’s at the very least and the most successful current SK driver.
We saw all the logic for the Thompson anemic fields didn’t we. The reasons for the Speedbowl to fail spectacularly were greater and yet here we are with fields rising and fan enthusiasm not too shabby. Even without beer. Who’d of thunk it.
My question to Speedbowl fans concerns the Gada’s. At what point did their moral objections to racing at the track become less important to it being the only track they had to race at they could be competitive.
https://racedayct.com/2017/06/torn-fabric-gada-family-noticeably-gone-from-competition-at-new-london-waterford-speedbowl/
Not mocking the Gada’s. It just shows how strong Speedbowl nation is.
The owner will be gone at some point. If there’s racing at the Speedbowl there will be a Gada.
Yes – Rocco is the top name in SK racing in New England and he enhances his standing with each week that goes by. And, he’d likely be a significant force on the NWMT if he decided to focus his efforts there. But, like Hirschman, he is unlikely to be fully appreciated unless he makes the full Tour commitment some day. Has Shawn ever written a story on Rocco’s role with Pettit Racing Engines? It’s certainly notable that Rocco may build the engines used by some of his toughest competitors. In the small world of modified racing, such a potential conflict of interest appears to be willingly accepted by Pettit’s customers.
Sour Grapes, ‘judge not lest thou be judged”
Gary Gary Gary you have to be the biggest freaking MORRON to ever say something here, somebody please tell me this guy doesn’t drive a race car !!
Good point Doug. I believe Jordan also had no desire to race at the bowl anymore either. According to race monitor, Joey Gada’s wife was there yesterday for practice in her street stock. Strange times for sure. Bemers petroleum is back advertising on the backstretch and in victory lane. Plus Bemer is also a big money sponsor for the Potter memorial race which is looking to attract some big names. Hirshman and Jankowiak to name a few. One side note, I have a feeling that there will be one less big name sk lite driver at the bowl for the rest of the year. I don’t want to say anything else yet because maybe Shawn can confirm that first.
Gary, Gary, Gary, you have to be the biggest MORRON to ever say something here, can somebody please tell me if this idiot drives a race car
How was mohanahan involved in a caution when he spun out and allowed to restart 4th…maybe people would leave him alone if he ran a cleaner race to win instead of racing dirty…dont get me wrong I love the wagon but damn…with lots of kids watching your not setting a good example of how to win
What happened Dawn, was that Shawn spun out and then there was another wreck at the same time but the caution flag was for the other wreck not for Shawn’s spin. Happens all the time believe it or not.
So 2020 you really think Shawn was going to start his car and keep going not you can try and make excuses for the horrible call that was made by the race director Shawn was given a gift and then to act like he did in victory lane was uncalled for it shows his true caricature
Just another big mouth .
“Shawn spun out and then there was another wreck at the same time”
I wasn’t there, but this happens all the time…
The original parties in the mess are “caution cars” and sent to the rear if they are able to continue. It’s pretty common for other drivers to spin as they brake to avoid stopped or slowing cars, some stall. They get their position back as they weren’t the cause of the caution flag, they got crossed up because of the caution flag.
Perhaps this is how race control saw the incident.
Jason, you mean to tell me you’ve never seen two incidents on the track happen at the same time and the caution come out for one of the two and the other car gets it’s spot back? Yeah Shawn did get a gift. The gift of a wreck that happened after he spun.
MONAHAN CLAIMS TO BE CHRISTIAN. PROMOTES HIMSELF AS A SHOWMAN . HE IS NEITHER BASED ON MY OBSERVATIONS AND HIS ON TRACK BEHAVIOR . AN OVER AGRESSIVE DRIVER,A HYPOCRYTE ,AND AN AGITATOR .HE IS NO “SHOW” AND NOW HE IS A CHEATER AS WELL. I DONT CARE HOW MANY CARS HE BRINGS TO THE TRACK .
I think the problem might be the lack of “race control” at the speed bowl It’s more like 4 people talking over each other with there ideas. No one in control. It’s like cowboy movies at the Melody Lounge. Hopefully it improves
2020 get real nice try that’s why you are not a race director what incident happened first Shawn spun into the infield because of hard racing maybe the race director should have thrown the yellow earlier because a race director knows his competitors and in that situation he should have known Shawn was never going to move so I guess you could say the second incident was the race director fault plane and simply I have nothing against the race director but remember I did leave the bowl 2 years ago for the same reason poor management and I hope I don’t have to do it again and also to whom it my concern we the owners and drivers have showed up and supported the track during these tough times and I do not appreciate not receiving what is owed if you don’t know how to run a good business maybe you should find some good people who know how
Back to the MODS. Did we notice that the 2 fastest cars at the track were Keiths cars. Did we notice the officials talking to the #9 after he block Rocco and Moeller in the heat race. Then was told he couldn’t start on the pole. Sound familiar? Then the 0 SK light spinning out 10 times and getting knocked out by the 56. Bowl looked good. Lots of cars. Why no legend cars?
Mr Grapes or whatever…….The Outlaw Race and The Limited Sportsman Races were Entertaining.It was explained by Matt Buckler over the P.A System why Monahan got his Spot back.Agree or Disagree,The call was made.Lots if Beatin and Bangin by more than a few cars and I recall Morgan Approaching Monahan and then it got Heavy……This is Local Short Track Racing and No NASCAR Filters or Political Correctness at play.If you put a Live Microphone in a Guys Face immediately after a Heated Race,Expect the Unexpected.Its Racing, Entertainment.Morgan was not Walled or Put in the Fence.He was Roughed Up,As were others.Aa far as Monahan being a Good Christian,That’s For God to Decide.
Is this the same driver in the 9 SK that drove the 9 SKL some years back? Buzel I think his name was?
Yeah same kid he couldn’t do anything in a SK L, now he’s even worst in an SK, some kids should just drive full body cars, just saying, either you have it or you don’t
Does anybody no if that MORRON Gary Davis drives a race car ?
That’s what I thought thanks Charlie
Was it Keith or Jeff Rocco who ran at the Bowl on August 29?
Back to Shawn Monahan. His true colors were shown a few years ago when he dragged his brother into a limited sportsman at Thompson. World Series. He was behind in points to Sundeen and lo and behold… Guess what happened. Needless to say, “someone” got into Sundeen and the “Velvet Hammer” won the championship. I watched Diego from start to spin. Mr. Monahan is one smooth operator…
Going back 4 weeks starting from last Saturday it was Keith for the win, Rainout. Jeff in 7th, Keith for the win. All in the 57.
Sidebar. Bert Myers is driving the 57 this Friday for Rocco in the SK and TC13 race if he makes the cut according to Bert Myers Facebook entry.
According to the picture Bert posted, it’s the 57 that has been running at Stafford. Not the 57 from Waterford.
Kayman, I watched it from start to finish also. Our memories are longer than those at Thompson, as the brother was back racing in the same division again. Oh well. It seems like Morgan & the Watermans like to play rough against Shawn, but do they ever beat him? Seems like he rarely loses. He’s the Keith Rocco of the Limited Sportsmans or whatever they’re called.
Hey oh well, open your eyes, or are you just another monday morning quarterback?
Another thing oh well, post your name you sissy!
Another thing oh well, post your name you sissy! Come to the pit area Saturday and look at the front bumper compared to the rear of the car, especially the left quarter panel on the 8 and you tell me who is roughing up who, but like I previously said, you’re nothing but a Monday morning QB, because you won’t even show your name, sissy!!!!!!
The street stocks at the speedbowl have been the roughest most beating and banging division for a long time. The 8 got beat up on the track but raced on to finish a decent third rather than being stuffed into the wall. Looking forward to see what happens this Saturday.
Yikes Mr Morgan, didn’t mean to hit a raw nerve. When I see Ryan’s name at the top of the finishing order, I’ll be happy for ya.
And yes I am a total sissy. Go to bed it’s getting late.
SKLight Fan….cough, cough
Pretty sure Keith had the fastest car 14.633 and correct me if I’m wrong but Molleur was 8th fastest with a 14.800, that leaves 6 other drivers screwing up your theory that Keith has the 2 fastest cars at the track.
You all will be pleased to know that both Shawn and Diego are entered into the Potter memorial race.
Hi Rainbows 2020, I do not know if you ever watched Bob Potter run a race. But he was one of the smoothest and level headed drivers ever. You know what rainbows are, right? After the storm has passed, rainbows follow. If Mr Potter is watching down, I assume he would be wishing someone fitting would win. Barring anything unnatural at this point, I really think he would appreciate Keith Rocco winning his inaugural tribute race. He raced with Ronnie and I would assume he would have had a little respect for the old man. Ronnie always came in late and made some coin. He was a veteran that did what he did to get by. He caused a ruckus on occasion. But he did what he had to do to get by. Bob Potter would respect what he did with his sons. Just my opinion. Take it for what it is worth Rainbows…
hey 2020!!! great news let the blocking begin in the SK `s !! They will make it a wreck fest for sure . is the “show” driving in all the divisions? will he do the prayer invocation.. rope a calf on the infield ?? LOL
me thinks the show will be cancelled for the rest of the season LOL but hey there are always reruns !
Bevis an Butthead brothers; GOOD GRIEF !! get some extra wreckers that night
Hi Rainbows 2020. Assuming you are on the next topic. Let me adjust my position. Todd Owen would probably be Bob Potter’s pick. Keith Rocco a close second. I think he would have as much respect for both, but, Todd is a driver in the mold of him. He races smart and clean. But, I think, Mr Potter would appreciate whoever won out of those two. Rainbows, I hope you know better. They run all 3 tracks and support fellow racers. Just like Mr. Bob Potter did. I hope you know I am speaking the truth as I see it. You could have inside information, but as a huge Potter fan in the 80’s, and throughout, and as I sat near him at Thompson in his later years and he was a supporter of a the “sk” Modifieds. He was a quiet Champion that never left his roots. A great man. I do not want to go on a diatribe again, but, this warrants it. Peace.
Yes I watched Potter race and I was a fan when I was a kid. I am also a fan of Owen, wherever he races. Inside information for what, an entry list? Yeah, I guess so. Hirshman is not a surprise entry and neither are both Monahan’s either. Shawn still has his 31 sk according to Facebook and Diego has been struggling in whatever tour type races he’s been in. If Jankowiak shows up like he’s supposed to, that would be the biggest surprise.
Uhhh…huuhhhh. He said wreckers. Yeah… wreckers.
Good thread- come back Kaymen Polosi. Bring more fake news. It’s entertaining