Rocco Takes Center Stage as Thompson Celebrates ’07 Champion
O’Sullivan, Gentes, Vigeant, DeSanctis & Romano Also Feted
Thompson, CT — The Raceway Restaurant and Golf Club, on the grounds of the historic Thompson International Speedway, was the site of the two-day 2007 champions celebration. On Saturday night, Keith Rocco of Wallingford took center stage as the Sunoco Modified champion. He shared the spotlight with fellow titlists-Late Model ace Rick Gentes of Woonsocket, RI, and TIS Modified champion Kurt Vigeant of Oxford, MA. A night earlier, Pro Stock Champion Mike O’Sullivan of Springfield, MA, was honored along with Limited Sportsman honoree Keith DeSanctis of Monson, MA, and Mini Stock victor Mike Romano of Pascoag, RI. NASCAR’s Chad Little was on hand on Saturday night to present the champions with their wares.
A relative newcomer, Keith Rocco, in only his third year of Sunoco Modified racing beat the best-of-the-best to score his first NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Championship in 2007. With a great car owner in Don Bannister and the backing of a strong race team led by Shane Hopkins, Rocco and his Interstate Diesel team ran consistency straight to the championship. Together the team posted four wins, 12 top-five finishes, and 14 top-ten finishes.