Keith Rocco Looking to Make Carquest Tech-Net Spring Sizzler Debut One to Remember
Stafford Springs, CT — Over the past three seasons at Stafford Motor Speedway, no driver has won more races than Keith Rocco. While the SK Modified® division has accounted for the majority of Rocco’s 30 victories in that 3-year span, he has also won Late Model races, a Modified Racing Series event, and the CARQUEST Champions For Charities feature event. With the 41st Annual CARQUEST Tech-Net Spring Sizzler taking place next weekend at Stafford, Rocco will try to add another chapter to his wide variety of feature victories at Stafford as he makes his Sizzler debut.
Rocco will be driving the Boehler Racing owned #3 Cape Cod Copper / Silver Dollar Construction Chevrolet, which won the Sizzler in 2004 with Jerry Marquis behind the wheel as well as the very first Spring Sizzler with Fred DeSarro at the controls. Rocco qualified fourth in his first race with the Boehler team, but a multi-car wreck relegated them to a 22nd place finish.
Despite the finish, Rocco is happy with his new team and is looking forward to his first Sizzler. “Everything went well and I’m extremely happy with the team,” said Rocco. “After our first race together it looks like we’re going to have a lot of success this season. I have a real good feeling for my first Sizzler. The guys gave me a great car for Thompson and I think we’ll have just as good a car for Stafford. The team has had a lot of success in the past and that makes my job a lot easier.”
Another first for Rocco at Stafford will be time trailing his way into the field. But after time trailing 4th in the season opening event, Rocco feels confident that he will have another good showing in qualifying for the CARQUEST Tech-Net Spring Sizzler.
“I think we’ll be in good shape for qualifying,” said Rocco. “We went fourth at Thompson and I think we’ll have a good shot at being in the top-5 at Stafford. I’d love to be able to get my first win at any of the three Connecticut tracks, but Stafford and the Sizzler would be a great place to get my first Tour win.”
Rocco will also be busy behind the wheel of the John & Maina Rufrano owned #88 Wheeler’s Auto SK Modified®. After winning 24 SK Modified® feature races in the past three years, Rocco and his team put together a new car and engine combination for the 2012 season as Rocco will seek his third SK Modified® track championship at Stafford in the past 5 years.
“Over the winter we built a brand new Troyer car and we went with the SK Spec Engine,” said Rocco. “I’m sure this car will be just as fast as our old car was at Stafford. We have plenty of time to practice and get the car dialed in. We have Wheeler’s Auto and Cordone & Sons Construction on the car this year, and I’ve done real well since I switched over to the 88 car, so I think we’ll be strong again this year.”
The 2012 CARQUEST TECH-NET Spring Sizzler gets underway Friday, April 27 with a practice session for Stafford’s weekly divisions. The practice session will be open to the public at no charge. Action continues on Saturday, April 28 with Coors Light Pole Qualifying for the Whelen Modified Tour cars, along with heat and consolation races for Stafford’s weekly divisions. Saturday will wrap up with feature events for the SK Light, Limited Late Model, and DARE Stock divisions. The Sizzler continues on Sunday, April 29 with the CARQUEST Belts & Hose Pit Party followed by Stafford’s SK Modifieds® and Late Models joining the Whelen Modified Tour in feature action.
Tickets for the “Greatest Race in the History of Spring” are on sale now at the Speedway Box Office. Tickets are priced at $38.50 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 will be priced at $42.00 for all ages. All ticket prices include 10% CT Admission Tax. As always, Stafford Motor Speedway offers free parking with overnight parking available.
For more information on the 41st Annual CARQUEST TECH-NET Spring Sizzler®, or to order tickets, contact the Stafford Motor Speedway track office at 860-684-2783 or visit us on the web at www.staffordspeedway.com.
Sources: Scott Running/Stafford Motor Speedway PR