NWAAS: Rocco Set for Charlotte
Keith Rocco of Wallingford, CT will be honored Friday during the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series banquet in Charlotte, NC. The 2010 national champion, Rocco finished on the podium for the sixth year in a row. He finished fourth in 2007-08.
“To finish in the top three consecutively as many times as we have, it’s a great feat in itself, and I’m very pleased to be able to be on the podium and represent NASCAR,” Rocco said.
Rocco is content with another strong effort. While drivers use the same points system, there are variables out of his control. NASCAR member tracks do not have a uniform Division I class or qualifying format. Some tracks use time trials, while others use heats and a driver’s starting position is handicapped based on recent finishes.
“To me anything in the top three is an excellent run I’m happy with. … I don’t personally believe that they (the southern Late Model drivers) have the competition that we have in the Northeast. It’s completely different, so to come up the best in the Northeast is more than an accomplishment for me to be happy.”
Rocco said the annual festivities are comparable to any NASCAR production for its top three national series. The NASCAR Home Track members feel welcomed and put in the spotlight by the Daytona Beach sanctioning body.
“They do an awesome job. … They do 110 percent job putting it together and making sure all the drivers feel appreciated for what they do.”
Rocco had an excellent season in Connecticut, winning the NASCAR state title for the seventh consecutive season. Rocco swept the SK Modified and Late Model championships at Waterford Speedbowl for the second year in a row. He missed his fifth championship at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park by six points. He won twice and finished fourth in the Stafford Motor Speedway standings.
“It was a great season all-around. I can’t complain. We won a lot of races, we were in contention everywhere we went and any driver always wants to be better. I think there’s plenty of room for improvement, but it’s just a fact of how to improve and where to improve when you race as much as I do.”
Rocco will have a new Troyer Chassis from Northeast Race Cars for Stafford next season. The car will be a “clone car” to the one that Rocco has campaigned successfully at Thompson and run at Stafford at times the past two seasons. Car owner John Rufano provides “nothing but the best and whatever it takes to win races, he’s willing to do.”
“They (Northeast) build us great cars, it’s just what used to work at Stafford for me doesn’t seem to be working like it did, and that Thompson car I have seems to go very well at Stafford.”
Expect Rocco to continue another full schedule next season. He will be a regular competitor once again at all three Connecticut ovals. Rocco said that he would be “doing more open Modified stuff, doing some more MRS stuff.”
The two-time Late Model champion will race the No. 1 again next year at Waterford. He will drive a “clone” car for B&M Maintenance at Thompson. Rocco will also drive in a limited schedule of American Canadian Tour (ACT) races. He plans to enter the American Racer Challenge twin 100s at New Smyrna February 16-17. Rocco is “definitely going to take a shot at” the 100 lap ACT season finale during Thompson’s World Series weekend.
Rocco will return to the VMRS next season in the familiar No. 68 car. Rocco leads all drivers with six wins at the Nutmeg State tracks. While Rocco has never pursued a full VMRS schedule, he would enjoy the opportunity.
“I’d really like to try to attempt to do a full schedule one of these years. I think we could definitely be in serious contention for a championship.”
While some are concerned about the status of Waterford for next season, it is business as usual for Rocco. If Waterford does not open, Rocco said he will focus on the VMRS.
“My sponsors are behind me 110 percent. I don’t have to worry about getting them together. The car will be done and 110 percent ready to go racing. … I’m leaning towards running more MRS races if they don’t open. I wouldn’t be surprised if you see me at the majority of the MRS races.”
The former Sunoco Rookie of the Year does not plan to compete on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. Rocco made eight starts last year for John Rufano with one top 10 finish.
Rocco highlighted the VMRS banquet Saturday when he dove headlong into the Monk’s Mechanics display.
“I try to be the entertainment everywhere we go, whether it’s on the racetrack or off the racetrack. I think I do a pretty good job of it. … That banquet was pretty quiet. It needed some spice to it.”
Thompson added a road course to the facility this season and held the fewest oval races since 1965. The Sunoco Modifieds only held nine races. The track will host seven events next season, including double features for some divisions.
“It definitely bothers me that they’re racing as much as they used to, but when they do race they’re very dedicated and they’re giving racers everything they need. Their payouts a little bit better, they’re doing double features. (Race Director) Scott Tapley came up with some great ideas for this year. They’re going to award points for heat races. That’s going to help break the points up a little bit also, so there’s some great things going over there, and I think it’s on the up and up.”
The SK Modified class at Stafford regularly includes Whelen Modified Tour drivers like track champion Ted Christopher, Ryan Preece, Woody Pitkat, and Rowan Pennink.
“They’ve got the fiercest competition I think anywhere probably in the country. I don’t think there’s anywhere else where you’ll find the competition level that Stafford has and as well as racing. The racing they had this year was phenomenal, the side by side racing, the passes, the battles right down to the last laps. Fans can’t ask for anything better than that.”
Keith Rocco began his career at the age of 13 in Go Karts. His father Ronnie raced from the 1970s to the 1990s. A three-time champion at the old Plainville (CT) Stadium in Late Models and Modifieds, Ronnie won many races at Plainville, including the final race on September 20, 1980. The New Britain driver won at Stafford, Waterford, and Westboro. He also raced at Seekonk and Thompson.
“I think it’s really the love for the sport and the passion I have for racing. My father brought me up around it, my father did it. I grew up around it and it’s truly what I love.”
Rocco has built quite a résumé over the past decade in Connecticut. A seven time Waterford champion, his 103 wins are three shy of leader Phil Rondeau. He is a two-time champion at Stafford with 48 wins, two away of Ryan Posocco for fourth. He has 35 wins at Thompson (12th all-time), one short of NASCAR Hall of Famer Richie Evans. He also won at Concord (NC) Motorsports Park, the defunct Mototown USA in Windsor, and New Smyrna (FL) Speedway.
Sources: Nicholas Teto/YankeeRacer.com
Thanks to Sid’s Vault Productions