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Riverhead, NY Nov. 11th.
By Bob Finan Photo Tom Morris/Myracenews
Over his career Keith Rocco of Berlin, Ct. has accomplished plenty. Winning the 2021 NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly series title, over a dozen track championships in the SK Modified/Sunoco Modified ranks at the three Connecticut ovals while winning well over 200 races in the process. However it may be the recent performance of Rocco in the big fall Modified events that is catching the attention of many. Keith will ride a two major event win streak into the Islip 300 Saturday at Riverhead Raceway.
The two race hot streak in major paying Tour Type Modified events began at the October 9th Thompson 300 where Rocco overcame a late race spin to win the $20,000 first place prize. While some left the Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park with raised eyebrows as to the late race spin, Rocco left with the big check and the satisfaction he had beat the best of the best that Tour Type Modified has to offer. Just last week Keith completed a SK Modified $7,000 victory at the track he has enjoyed most his success at, the New London-Waterford Speedbowl. The victory was the 93rd SK triumph of Keith’s career at the “Bowl” where he is a former seven time SK Modified champion.
Keith Rocco riding the wave of momentum is a threat to head back home across Long Island Sound with another cool $7,000 in his pocket. Saturday will mark the second Islip 300 start for Rocco and crew with the quarter mile bullring seemingly suiting Keith’s take no prisoners style. Last year after spending the hour long practice trying to adjust to both the track Hooiser Tire and tight confines of the track itself, Rocco and team just kept adjusting. The end result would a 9th place finish for Keith, who had to survive a jingle or two along the way.
An all-star roster of drivers are readying for the Islip 300 chief among them defending race winner Ryan Preece, 2021 NASCAR WMT champion Justin Bonsignore and 2021 Riverhead Raceway champion Kyle Soper. Teams planning to make the trek to Long Island Saturday include Jimmy “Showtime” Blewett, Michael Christopher, Patrick Emerling, Jon McKennedy, Kyle Bonsignore, Anthony Nocella and Noah Korner.
Long Island based teams who call the NASCAR WMT home hope to enjoy Islip 300 home cooking are Craig Lutz, Eric Goodale, JB Fortin, Timmy Solomito, Dave Sapienza and Gary McDonald.
Joining Soper from the talented Riverhead Raceway Buzz Chew NASCAR Modified ranks include, John Baker, Dylan Slepian, Michael Rutkoski, Chris Young, CJ Lehmann, John Beatty Jr., Roger & Chris Turbush, Justin Brown, Dave Brigati, Artie Pedersen III and Eddie Brunnhoelzl III.
The Eagle Auto Mall Crate Modifieds and INEX legend Race Cars will join the Islip 300 program Saturday at Riverhead Raceway. Pit gates open at 8:00 am with hauler parking available at 7:00 am. Legend Race Car practice will run continuously 10:00 am-10:30 am, Crate Mods from 10:30-11:00 am. A one hour Tour Type Modified practice session takes the track at 11:00 am, spectator gates will open at 11 in time for that session.
General admission is $35 for adults,$15 for kids 6-12 with 5 & under free. Pit admission is $55. A live stream of the Islip 300 can be viewed starting at 12:45 pm on Riverheadraceway.Tv.
The entry list, race day event schedule and race procedure/rules for the Islip 300 can be viewed at www.riverheadraceway.com. E-mails reach the track at riverheadraceway1@gmail.com, the phone number is 631-842-RACE.
