STAFFORD – Numbers aren’t typically something Keith Rocco likes to talk about, unless it’s the No. 1 for winning a race.
But Friday at Stafford was a night all about huge numbers for the Wallingford Modified racing veteran.
Rocco used a third place finish in the 40-lap SK Modified feature to clinch his fourth Stafford championship in the division with a week remaining in competition.
Rocco will go to the final week of competition in the SK Modified division holding an insurmountable 68-point lead in the division standings over Ronnie Williams, who had won the last two titles in the division at Stafford.
Rocco also won Stafford championships in 2008, 2010 and 2017. It was Rocco’s 18thWeekly Racing Series Division I track championship, setting a NASCAR national record.
Rocco tied Joe Kosiski for the national record for total Division I track championships last year when he won his eighth Weekly Racing Series SK Modified championship at Thompson Speedway. He also has six NASCAR Weekly Racing Series SK Modified titles at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl, where he is the track’s all-time winningest driver.
Rocco won his first SK Modified track title in 2007 at Thompson. His first at Waterford came in 2010. He was the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series national champion in 2010.
“It’s not really so much about the track championship, it’s just the overall number and setting the national record for most NASCAR Division I titles,” Rocco said. “We tied it and really wanted to beat it in the worst way. And what better place to do it than winning the championship here at Stafford?”
In 13 events this year at Stafford Rocco has five wins, nine top-five’s and has finished in the top-10 in every event.
“When you come here to Stafford and you race for a championship, you’re doing something,” Rocco said. “The competition level is second to none. I’d put it against any competition in the country. It’s awesome to race here and it’s awesome to be able to pull this off this year.”
Rocco dominated much of Friday’s SK Modified feature. On the final lap Rocco and Todd Owen made contact in turns one and two. Rocco slowed to save a sliding car, allowing Mike Christopher Jr. to move to the lead and grab the win.
The best of his generation of racers. Congrats Keith
To accomplish what Keith has in the relatively short amount of time he’s been racing is incredible.
18 division 1 championships, as well as a national division 1 championships, all in the span of 14 years.
Keith will go down in history as one of the greatest drivers of his generation. His hard work ethics and determination shows every time he climbs into the car.
Great job by Keith and his team on these accomplishments I predict he’ll get a couple more championships in the coming years.
He will not go down as one of the greatest because he didn’t do anything in the tour races he drove a very good car
Good grief Richard maybe you should check the stats again you moron SK light race is more exciting than a tour race, nine race season really, I’d rather watch a soapbox derby and last I checked a national championship is a lot more important then a tour championship🤡
Again, someone who doesn’t realize that there is allot more to racing than “the tour”. Keith has wins in “tour type” modifieds, SK modifieds and late model. In addition he has wins as a car owner in SK competition. He assembles and sets up his cars, in addition to building the motors, all while holding down a full time job.
His 18 division 1 championship (actually 19 as Waterford wasn’t NASCAR sanctioned when he win the championship in 2017), in addition to his National Division 1 championship, all in a 14 year time span, speaks of his talent. Let us not forget, Keith is still young and if he chooses gas many more years of competition ahead.
Long story short, Keith will definitely go down in history as the greatest driver of his generation, tour or no tour.
The fact that Keith has driven for others and runs his own equipment is another testament to his accomplishments..
A NASCAR tour championship is usually decided amongst 3-5 drivers annually, a national championship is decided amongst drivers from across the country.
Common man let’s get real. Who do you respect the most in modifieds. Guys like Bodine, Evans, Stefanik and Christopher. Guys that knew cars, worked on them and produced winners with their own hands.
Rocco is the new generation that is a cornerstone of local racing. You need a new definition of greatness. He’s becoming great in a new way along with guys like Todd Owen that not only win but generate cars that can win for others.
Excuuuuuuuuuse me if he doesn’t have time to traipse off to the NWMT to win races while tracks are getting ready to name seating sections after him. It’s just a matter of time.
Congratulations, Keith!
The accomplishment is even greater considering the quality and competition in the Stafford SK division and all the other cars coming from his shop every week. Well done!
So , Richard with that said, I’m thinking you should take your fist an punch yourself in the face a few times you idiot, go sit in your office an push computer keys you MORRON !! You probably don’t even go to the races