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KEITH ROCCO
CHASING CHECKERED
IN MODIFIED RACING SERIES 80 AT STAFFORD |
 For
SK Modified® regular Keith Rocco, Friday’s (May
19th) Valenti Modified Racing Series 80-lapper will
be a throwback. Rocco will chase the checkered flag
behind the wheel of Mark Payne’s #57 machine rather
than his usual #68 John & Maina Rufrano owned car.
Rocco has been campaigning the Rufrano owned car for
the past several seasons in Valenti Modified Racing
Series competition. Rocco won his very first VMRS
race at Stafford behind the wheel of the #57 machine
and would like to make a repeat trip to NAPA Auto
Parts Victory Lane.
“The 68 car isn’t quite ready yet, so we’ll be in
the 57,” said Rocco. “We should have a pretty good
shot at the race. We just have to hope everything
goes accordingly since we haven’t run that car at
Stafford in a while. If we can nail down the setup
we should be good for the race. The first MRS win I
ever got was at Stafford with that car, so hopefully
we can pull it off again.”
The 4th Annual VMRS 80 is the season opening race
for the Valenti Modifieds and the door is wide open
for a new face to sit in NAPA Victory Lane at the
end of the night. Stafford has been a track that is
notorious for drivers with weekly experience to have
the upper hand. Rocco noted that the advantage might
be a bit overhyped and that the race should be
smooth and most likely will see familiar faces
dueling for the win during the 80-lap race.
“It doesn’t seem to matter what time of year it is,
those races always seem to go pretty smooth,” said
Rocco. “With the amount of seat time we have at
Stafford, we have a little bit of an advantage but I
don’t think it’s as big of an advantage as everyone
thinks it is. I think you’re going to see guys like
[Rowan] Pennink, Teddy [Christopher], [Jon]
McKennedy, [Woody] Pitkat, all the usual guys who
are up front at Stafford.”
In addition to his VMRS duties behind the wheel of
the #57 car, Rocco will also be looking to continue
his hot start to the SK Modified® season at
Stafford. Driving the #88 Wheeler’s Auto car, Rocco
has opened the 2017 season with two podium finishes
in the first 2 races of the year. Finishing third
and second, Rocco will be looking to record his
first win and occupy the only step on the podium he
has yet to reach this year. Rocco is currently tied
with Ted Christopher and Ronnie Williams for the
lead in the SK Modified® points standings.
“We did our homework over the winter,” said Rocco.
“We’ve been lacking in the speed department for the
last few years. We’ve been there at the end of races
but we haven’t had the speed in the car like we have
this year. I’m really looking forward to the rest of
the season, there’s no better way to start off the
season with 2 podium finishes.”
The Valenti Modified Racing Series will take to the
track with qualifying beginning at 6:15pm.
Stafford’s five NASCAR Whelen All-American Series
divisions will also be in action. Tickets for this
event are on sale now and are priced at $30.00 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 seat tickets are $32.00 for all
ages. All ticket prices include 10% CT Admission
Tax. Stafford Motor Speedway offers plenty of free
parking along with overnight parking available for
self contained Recreational Vehicles.
For more information, contact the Stafford Motor
Speedway track office at 860-684-2783 or visit us on
the web at
www.staffordspeedway.com.
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Source:
Scott Running /
Stafford Speedway
Posted:
May 15, 2017 |
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