Jeff Rocco celebrates victory Wednesday at Thompson Speedway
THOMPSON – Jeff Rocco made his first victory behind the wheel of a Late Model one to remember Wednesday at Thompson Speedway.
Actually, one and two to remember.
Rocco, of Wallingford, won the 20-lap opening Late Model feature and then the 10-lap finale showdown in dramatic fashion to take the overall title in the 20/20 Sprint Late Model showdown Wednesday at Thompson Speedway.
Marc Curtis of Spencer, Mass. was second in the 10-lap finale and Keith Rocco of Wallingford third.
Jeff Rocco had to battle his twin brother Keith for the extent of the 10-lap showdown. The two bounced off each other numerous times in a feisty side-by-side battle for the lead for most of the event.
“I drove side-by-side with my brother for a long time, it was a hard fought battle out there,” Jeff Rocco said. “We door-slammed, he might not be too happy with me but in the end I think it was good racing. I can’t be happier for [team owner] Eric Grant and this team. They came back strong after a big wreck [in the last event on June 10] and I couldn’t be happier right now.”
Curtis made it three-wide on the final lap for the lead, edging Keith Rocco for second, but not having enough to get by Jeff Rocco.
“I had a good car,” Jeff Rocco said. “[Spotter] Todd Ceravolo was with me the whole time on the radio and we just kept cool, maintained our lane and we came out on top.”
Jeff Rocco finished sixth in the second 20-lap Late Model feature. With a cumulative point total of eight for the three events, Jeff Rocco was the overall winner. The victory guaranteed him a starting spot in the American Canadian Tour event at Thompson Speedway on Oct. 17.
Brian Tagg of Oxford, Mass. won the second 20-lap Late Model feature. His finishes of third in the opener and sixth in the finale gave him 10 points for second place overall. Keith Rocco (fourth in first event, fourth in second event) and Larry Gelinas of Buxton, Me. (second in first event, fifth in second event, fourth in finale) tied for third overall with 11 points each.
Corey Hutchings of Salem passed Al Stone III on lap 10 restart and drove away with victory in the 20-lap Limited Sportsman feature. Ryan Waterman of Danielson was second and Stone, of Durham, third.
Scott Michalski of Killingly won the 15-lap Mini Stock feature.
Nice job jeff
Good for Jeff, at least for 1 night he escapes the shadow of his brother.
You had a good car