Our Responds to Driver Change
STAFFORD SPRINGS, CT — NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour team owner Chris Our said Saturday that his new Troyer TA2 car “shows some serious potential and we’re pretty excited to have this car here and have a seasoned driver like Keith (Rocco) in it.”
Keith Rocco, the 2010 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series champion and two Stafford SK Modified® champion, will be driving the No. 22 Canto Paving/Milton Caterpillar Chevrolet in the NAPA Spring Sizzler tomorrow.
“Things happened very fast in the last few days, and this is a decision I made for this weekend, and I’m very excited to have Keith in the car,” Our said. “He’s very capable, and he knows this place, and we’re excited to have Keith as a replacement for this weekend with everything that’s gone on. And next week we’ll sit down and look and see where we are to plan out moving forward.”
A lot has happened with the team since testing at Stafford (CT) Motor Speedway on April 16.
19-year-old driver Tommy Barrett, Jr. was arrested by the Willimantic (CT) Police Department on April 17 for traveling unreasonably fast, improper turn/stop-no signal, operating under the influence of alcohol/drugs. His court date is Monday, April 27 at 10AM in Danielson (CT) Superior Court.
Our was notified Thursday morning and suspended Barrett this weekend for breaching the team’s “Code of Conduct policy.” Our and Barrett contacted NASCAR later that day. “I was surprised. I was disappointed that I wasn’t notified sooner.”
NASCAR added a new rule on February 25. Section 2-10, “Required Notice Any NASCAR Member charged with any violation of the law (misdemeanor and/or felony), shall notify reporting@nascar.com or visit http://reporting.nascar.com and the promoter of the track listed by the member as his/her home track prior to the next scheduled Event or within 72 hours of being so charged, whichever is earlier. The track owner/ promoter should notify NASCAR reporting@nascar.com or visit http://reporting.nascar.com within 24 hours of receiving information.”
“It seemed to be a decision that had to be made, both for Tommy, and the team, and NASCAR. It was a decision that had to be made for us to maintain the respect from other car owners and teams and fans.”
Our expects Rocco to drive the next race at New London-Waterford (CT) Speedbowl on May 30 if needed. Barrett’s status is unclear pending legal matters and NASCAR’s suspension.
“The intention wasn’t to pull Tommy out of the car permanently, but I think we have to see where things fall. … It’s kind of up in the air.”
Our scrapped plans for next weekend’s ARCA Racing Series event at Talladega (AL) Superspeedway, citing a lack of time to get the car to Bobby Gerhardt in Pennsylvania for preparation. Our said he will focus on the Whelen Modified Tour effort for now.
“I knew ultimately that’s what was going to happen no matter what, but I took it upon myself to do it ahead of time. It was the right decision to be made. It had to be done and it’s not a punishment. It was just something had to be done out of respect for the fans, and team, and people, and NASCAR, and everyone. I don’t want to say it’s a punishment, but it’s part of growing up. You’ve got to learn consequences and that’s one of them.”
“Personally it’s part of growing up. These mistakes are what make you move forward and learn from.”
Sources: Nicholas Teto/YankeeRacer.com