Keith Rocco celebrates victory in the Late Model division Saturday at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl with his son KJ
WATERFORD – The category of the all-time winningest driver at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl is now a shared designation.
Keith Rocco crested the mountain Saturday at the Speedbowl in winning the 30-lap Late Model feature at the shoreline oval.
It was the 106th career victory at the Speedbowl for Rocco, tying him with Phil Rondeau at the top of the track’s all-time wins list.
“It’s pretty awesome,” Rocco said. “This car was awesome today. Good out of the truck. To tie Phil Rondeau’s record is absolutely awesome. The guy set history here at the Speedbowl and I’m glad right now I’m able to sit right alongside of him.”
It was the 29th career Late Model division victory for Rocco, of Wallingford, all coming since 2011 driving for team owner Scott Fearn.
Rocco got his first career victory at the track in a Limited Sportsman at the track on Aug 30, 2003. He now has 66 SK Modified feature wins, four Limited Sportsman wins, 3 Valenti Modified Racing Series victories, two Mr. Rooter New England Truck Series wins, one Pro Four Modified win and one NEMA Lite win.
Of his 106 victories, 102 have come since May 3, 2008 when he got his first SK Modified win at the track.
Rocco finished fourth in the 35-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified feature Saturday in his attempt to take over the top spot. Rocco competes full-time in both divisions at the Speedbowl.
Rocco started fourth in the feature, went to third at the start and passed his brother Jeff for second on lap two. On lap seven he went by Anthony Flannery for the lead and was never challenged again.
Flannery, of East Hampton, held on for second and Jason Palmer of Berlin was third.
“For Flannery missing a couple seasons, he came back here strong,” Rocco said. “I give it a couple weeks and he’s going to challenging us for the win.”
Congrats Keith and good luck the rest of the season and the boy and I will see you at the track soon!
Although Rocco has tied Phil Rondeau’s all time win record and numbers are numbers, let’s remember Phil had to compete against a full field of 20+ cars a week, with an average starting spot of 18th to -20th with a field of cars capable of winning on a given night. Mot of Phil’s wins were determined coming off the fourth turn on the last lap.
Winning races with 10+ cars in field is a win.
Can Rocco say he won all three Late Model Championships in one year at all three CT tracks and win the biggest open LM race at the time, The Parts Peddler at Pocono, plus a 100 lapper at Thompson.
Wins are Wins. I realize Phil might have competed against 20 + cars But Wins are Wins!
Granted wins are wins but a feature with 8 cars as the bowl had Saturday night is not the same as racing against a full field and starting 18th. This is not to take anything from Keith Rocco who is one of the best wheel men around . Unfortunately, just a sign of the times.
Rich O, not much of a sign of the times… Seekonk had 21 Late Models… It’s a sign of something else.