Rocco claims NASCAR Whelen All-American Series title with 10th Speedbowl win
Waterford, CT — Keith Rocco of Wallingford claimed the win in Waterford Speedbowl’s 35-lap SK Modified® race Saturday night, coming from the twelfth starting position to take over the lead on lap 29. With the win, Rocco clinched the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series National Championship. In other action, Chris Deritis of Philadelphia, PA won the 25-lap NEMA Midget race and Rowley, MA native Chris Perley took the checkered flag in a 50-lap race for the visiting IMA Supermodifieds. And in the 100-lap Modified Racing Series event, Stephen Masse of Bellingham, MA dominated to take his third career win and first in the Series at Waterford.
Kyle James and Joe Perry battled out front for two laps before James took control of the SK Modified® race. The field quickly singled out but caution waved on lap 4 when Harry Rheaume spun in turn three. The inside lane prevailed on the restart, with James bringing Tom Abele, Rob Janovic Jr., Diego Monahan and Rocco into the top five on lap 6. Todd Ceravolo tucked into sixth position looking for racing room on Rocco with Tyler Chadwick tight behind Ceravolo. The field raced in that order to lap 10.
Rocco dove under Monahan down the back chute on lap 11 taking fourth position. Ceravolo and Chadwick followed suit past Monahan. Rocco challenged Janovic for third by lap 20, looking for any lane around the three-eighths mile oval for the third spot. Out front James and Abele pulled away while the battle for third stayed red-hot.
Excitement picked up on lap 23 as Rocco continued to apply heavy pressure on Janovic. Janovic bobbled down the backstretch, with Rocco looking high. Ceravolo filled the hole under Rocco and the three battled hard for the spot. Ceravolo got loose in turn two underneath Rocco, spinning to bring out the second caution on lap 24 and dropping him from the top five. Rocco survived unscathed.
Abele got around James on the restart to claim the lead. Rocco followed Abele by James in the outside lane into second position on lap 26. Rocco tracked down the leader in short order, first looking outside before making a diving move under Abele down the backstretch to become the new leader as the field completed lap 29.
Rocco survived one final restart, besting Abele to go on to his 10th win of the season and clinch the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series National Championship with the victory. James snuck by Abele over the final laps to claim second, his best finish in the division. Abele was third with Janovic and Chadwick completing the top five.
Saturday 8/14 Wings ‘n Wheels Results and standings:
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modifieds® (35-laps): 1. Keith Rocco, Wallingford; 2. Kyle James, Ashaway, RI; 3. Tom Abele Jr., Norwich; 4. Rob Janovic Jr., Waterford; 5. Tyler Chadwick, Ledyard; 6. James Monahan, Quaker Hill; 7. Ron Yuhas Jr., Groton; 8. Jeff Pearl, Salem; 9. Jeffrey Paul, Ledyard; 10. Tucker Reynolds Jr., Westbrook; 11. Joe Gada, Salem; 12. Joe Perry, Ashaway, RI; 13. Adam Gada, Bozrah; 14. Jeffrey Gallup, Agawam, MA; 15. Mike Sweeney, Meriden; 16. Jimmy Smith, Woodstock; 17. Doug Coby, Milford; 18. Peter Pavone, Southbury; 19. Todd Ceravolo, Gales Ferry; 20. Frank Mucciacciaro Jr., Milford; 21. Harry Rheaume, Oakdale.
Unofficial Standings after seventeen events (top-ten): 1. Rocco, 816; 2. Yuhas Jr., 755; 3. Janovic Jr., 674; 4. Chadwick, 661; 5. Paul, 625; 6. Pearl, 568; 7. Abele Jr., 522; 8. J. Gada, 508; 9. Monahan, 480; 10. James, 452
Modified Racing Series (100-laps): 1. Stephen Masse, Bellingham, MA; 2. Ted Christopher, Plainville; 3. Doug Coby, Milford; 4. Rown Pennink, Huntington Valley, PA; 5. Jon McKennedy, Chelmsford, MA; 6. Todd Annarummo, Swansea, MA; 7. Charlie Pasteryak, Jewett City; 8. Jack Bateman, Canaan, NH; 9. Dwight Jarvis, Ascutney, VT; 10. Ken Barry; 11. Rob Goodenough, Swanzey,NH; 12. Max Zachem, Preston; 13. Louie Mechalides, Tyngsboro, MA; 14. Jeff Malave, Manchester; 15. Jeff Pearl, Salem; 16. Mike Holdridge, Madison; 17. Bryon Chew, Inlet, NY; 18. Jacob Dore, Sanford, Me; 19. Joey Jarvis, Sanford, ME; 20. Keith Rocco, Wallingford; 21. Les Hinckley, Windsor Locks; 22. Don Fowler; 23. Jim Dolan, Bethel; 24. Dave Etheridge, Portland; 25. Geoff Gernhard, Salem
ISMA Supermodifieds (50-laps): 1. Chris Perley, Rowley, MA; 2. Joe Scanlon, Salem, NH; 3. Dave Shullick Jr, North Ridgeville, OH; 4. Ben Seitz, Bourne, MA; 5. Russ Wood, Pelham, NH; 6. Danny Lane, Essex, MA; 7. Rob Summers, Vernon; 8. Rich Reid, New London, OH; 9. Eric Lewis, Solvay, NY; 10. Bobby Bond, Mexico, NY; 11. Jeff Locke, Raymond, NH; 12. Dave Duggan, Milford; 13. Jamie Timmons, North Andover, MA; 14. Mike Lichty, Innerkip, ON; 15. Lou Cicconi, Aston, PA; 16. Bobby Haynes Jr, Riverton; 17. Vern Romanoski, Strong, ME; 18. Justin Belfiore, Ipswich, MA; 19. Eric Emhoff, Union
NEMA Midgets (25-laps): 1. Chris Deritis, Philadelphia, PA; 2. Russ Stoehr, Lakeville, MA; 3. Randy Cabral, Plymouth, MA; 4. Greg Stoehr, Bridgewater, MA: 5. Jeff Abold, Marlboro, MA; 6. Adam Cantor, Dix Hills, NY; 7. Mike Horn; 8. Todd Bertrand, Sturbridge; 9. Anthony Noceila, Marlboro, MA; 10. Andy Shlatz; 11. Brian Cleveland, Billerica, MA; 12. John Zych, Liverpool, NY; 13. Chris Leonard, Pelham, NH; 14. Erica Santos, Franklin, Ma; 15. Pete Pernesiglio, Ronkonkoma, NY; 16. Jim Miller, Weymouth, MA.
Sources: Waterford Speedbowl PR