Jesse Ruocco Joins 2011 SK Light Modified Rookie Class at Stafford Motor Speedway
Stafford Springs, CT — In recent years the SK Light Modified division has become a stomping ground for the youngest competitors of Stafford Speedway and 2011 will be no different. The Earth Technologies Racing team will be bringing a new driver to the paddock, 15-year-old Jesse Ruocco, son of 2006 SK Modified® champion Frank Ruocco.
“I am really excited to get a chance to race SK Lights,” said Ruocco. “I’ve been racing the Wild Thing Kart Series for five years now and I am ready to make the move to the full-size cars.”
Jesse will have a slight advantage in 2011 with an already proven race team behind him. His crew chief Steve Butova, the 2010 Craftsman Mechanic of the Year, has established himself as one of the best in the Stafford paddock. Butova has crewed on the SK Modified® #91 team for owner/driver Frank Ruocco, and in 2010 they accumulated four victories and a third place finish in the season point standings.
“My goal for the 2011 season is to keep the car in one piece,” said the younger Ruocco. “I’m hoping to be able to improve week after week and eventually be a competitor at the front of the field. With Steve behind me I know I’ll have one of the best cars on the track so it comes down to me being patient and gaining seat time.”
Patience will be key in the SK Light Modified division in 2011 as it will be full of rookies young and old.
“I have a big advantage over some of the other rookies,” said Ruocco. “I have my dad to give me advice, he has a lot of laps in a modified at Stafford, and I listen to him as much as I can.”
Jesse is another graduate of the highly competitive Wild Thing Kart Series. His resume includes numerous wins in both the Junior and Senior Outlaw divisions along with the 2008 Junior Outlaw Championship. The Wild Thing Kart Series has become a great development series for Stafford competitors to make the jump from the Mini-Mile to the Half-Mile. The 2011 season will see two Senior Outlaw rivals, Ruocco and Dylan Kopec, make the jump to the SK Light Modifieds.
“The Sr. Outlaw division has become a great stepping stone for young drivers,” said Wild Thing Kart promoter Wade Gagner. “Drivers like Jesse and Dylan put on an unbelievable show almost every Monday night and I can guarantee that they will both bring that high level of competition to the SK Lights.”
Not only is Jesse a budding racecar driver, he is also a student athlete at Notre Dame High School in West Haven CT, where he plays right wing on the varsity hockey team.
“I’ve been playing hockey for a long time and its something that I really enjoy,” said Ruocco. “When it comes to racing I think it helps me. All the hard work on the ice helps me stay a little bit sharper behind the wheel and get that extra inch out of the racecar.”
Ruocco will look to make his SK Light Modified debut at the season opening CARQUEST Tech-Net Spring Sizzler, scheduled for April 29-May 1. The SK Lights will be joined by the Whelen Modified Tour as well as Stafford’s other four NASCAR Whelen All-American Series divisions. Tickets for the “Greatest Race in the History of Spring” are on sale now at the Speedway Box Office. Tickets are priced at $35.00 for adult general admission tickets, $5.00 for children ages 6-14, and children ages 5 and under are admitted free of charge when accompanied by an adult. Reserved seating is priced at $38.00 for all ages. As always, Stafford Motor Speedway offers free parking with overnight parking available.
For more information, contact the Stafford Motor Speedway track office at 860-684-2783 or visit us on the web at www.staffordspeedway.com.
Sources: Paul Arute/Stafford Motor Speedway PR