| |
www.jeff-pearl.com: 10/05/08 Waterford SK Modified Results
7th win for Rocco; 7th title for Gada
|
|
 |
Keith Rocco won the 100-lap SK Modified Town Fair Tire Finale feature at the Waterford Speedbowl on Sunday, while it was Dennis Gada prevailing for a record-breaking seventh modified championship.
As the green dropped it was brothers Shawn and Diego Monahan leading the pack. In short-order, Diego pulled ahead, building a commanding lead. The duo was soon pressed by heavy-hitters Dennis Gada, Rob Janovic, Jeff Paul and Ron Yuhas Jr. The running order stayed largely the same until a multi-car pileup in turn-2 involving several frontrunners (including the championship-seeking Gada), scattered the field. Laps-later, contender Shawn Monahan dropped-out of the event with mechanical difficulties. Following several restarts in the messy and caution-plagued event, defending champion Janovic found himself in the lead followed by Monahan, and Gada. With only fourteen-remaining the lead-pack tangled yet-again, this time sending several careening into the wall, including Monahan and Tyler Chadwick. With a scant ten-laps left, Keith Rocco resumed the lead followed closely by Janovic and Ron Yuhas Jr. At the flag, it was Rocco edging-out Janovic, followed by Yuhas Jr., Gada, and Frank Ruocco.
Scheduled to race a Late Model in the 100-lapper next on the schedule, Rocco was short and direct in expressing exuberance in nailing-down his seventh victory of the season. "The car got better as the race went-on," he stated. "We had time to work our way to the front as we started pretty far-back. It's been a great season, and this was the perfect way to end it."
Dennis Gada had but two words in explaining his feelings about becoming the Speedbowl's only seven-time modified champion. As usual, he was humble in the realization that his name would forever be etched into the Speedbowl record books as a driver that had truly accomplished something special.
"It's a relief, and it's certainly gratifying", stated the champ. "The car was great tonight until that deal in turn-2 when everybody piled-in there. A lot of people were really good to us on the track tonight, and it's appreciated. The good Lord was smiling-down on us tonight like he does every day, and it worked-out. It's a relief getting over this milestone just like it was when I up against the records of great drivers like Dick Dunn, Bob Potter and Phil Rondeau. This means a lot to my family because of all the years we've spent at Waterford. It feels great because this is a record I can call my own, but then again, it's not all mine. Without the help and support of my family, sponsors, and crew, I'd not be able to accomplish this." |
photo courtesy Race Dog Photography |
| Pos | Driver |
| 1 |
Keith Rocco |
| 2 |
Rob Janovic |
| 3 |
Ron Yuhas Jr. |
| 4 |
Dennis Gada |
| 5 |
Frank Ruocco |
| 6 |
Jeffrey Paul |
| 7 |
Corey Hutchings |
| 8 |
Wendell Dailey |
| 9 |
Frank Mucciacciaro |
| 10 |
Henry Stampfl |
| 11 |
Mike Sweeney |
| 12 |
Ed Reed Jr |
| 13 |
Don Fowler |
| 14 |
Diego Monahan |
| 15 |
Tyler Chadwick |
| 16 |
Rich Hammann |
| 17 |
Mark Bakaj |
| 18 |
Joseph Krawiec |
| 19 |
Shawn Monahan |
| 20 |
Dillon Moltz |
| 21 |
Matt Gallo |
| 22 |
Glenn Griswold |
| 23 |
Todd Ceravolo |
| 24 |
Glenn Pressell III |
| 25 |
Kevin Shea |
| 26 |
Wayne Arute |
| 27 |
Jeff Pearl |
|
