A nickname being tossed around the pits following the Sunoco Modified feature at Thompson Speedway’s Thursday Night Thunder was one generally not associated with Keith Rocco.
The Wallingford driver, known for his aggressive style, was teased about being “St. Rocco” after he and Ryan Preece waged a clean 30-lap battle. It’s not something that happens often when the two are tussling over first place.
“It was racing, it was clean and I race him like he raced me (Thursday night),” Preece said. “That’s how I want to be raced.”
The race was not without a little pushing and shoving. Preece worked his way to the front, passing Ted Christopher on the 10th lap. According to Rocco, Preece then put his Nerf bar into the side of Christopher’s car and pushed him up the track. Preece took advantage of the space and sped past the No. 13, with Rocco attached to his rear bumper.
“We were actually a lot better than (Preece) was,” Rocco said. “We ran him down, but it’s so hard to pass here and everybody’s so equal.”