Lou Modestino
Keith Rocco from Meriden, CT is a 2010 NASCAR National Champion, has three (3) NASCAR SK Modified championships at the Waterford Speedbowl, two (2) ACT type Late Model Championships at the Speedbowl, and too numerous feature event wins in the heart of Modified country, Connecticut, to list. His next challenge is to head to the New Smyrna World Series of Asphalt Racing and enter the American Canadian Tour (ACT) American Racer Challenge Series on Monday and Tuesday, February 16-17, 2015.
“My Late Model car owner, Scott Fern (Wilbraham, MA) is a big fan of ACT Late Model racing. That is how I got started in the fender type cars a few years ago. We have had a pretty busy modified schedule chasing NASCAR points for the past few years, although we tried to get to a couple ACT shows, but weather and other issues kind of put that on the back burner. This mid-winter trip to Florida and the American Racer Challenge Cup is going to be a great break. We are looking forward to our first ACT event,” said Rocco.
Rocco has won some races in the Modified division at New Smyrna over the years, but he will face a new challenge with veteran tour drivers from both the ACT US and ACT Quebec organizations. Both 2014 defending champions, Joey Polewarczyk, Jr. (Pole), Hudson, NH and Alex Labbe, St-Albert, QC have experience at New Smyrna Speedway. There will be plenty of competition from the growing list of drivers who have entered. Former ACT Champions Wayne Helliwell, Jr., Dover, NH and Donald Theetge from Quebec City will join Pole and Labbe. Between them they have six (6) ACT Championships.
“This should be fun and just what our Late Model team needs to see how competitive we can be in the full fendered car. I was glad to see that ACT is moving into Connecticut with the recent announcement that they will race at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park. Hopefully, we can have some success and find time to race a few more Late Model races in 2015,” concluded Rocco.
The American Racer Challenge Cup is a two-day event with twin 100 lap races held on Monday and Tuesday, February 16-17, 2015 as part of the annual World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at the New Smyrna Speedway. Over 24 ACT teams are expected to compete in the $35,000.00 event. Joey Polewarczyk, Jr. won the event in 2010 by a single point over eight-time ACT Champion, Brian Hoar from Williston, VT.