'Worst Wreck Of The Year’ At Waterford Speedbowl Wednesday

It took Waterford fire crews 10 minutes to extricate a Columbia driver from his vehicle Wednesday night at the Waterford Speedbowl, but the driver sustained only minor injuries, according to The Day.

The Day reports that driver Eric Finkbein of Columbia crashed into the wall of the speedbowl in lap 18 of a 20-lap race at around 7:40 p.m. Wednesday night, and it took about 10 minutes for the Cohanzie Fire Department to extricate Finkbein from his racecar. Finkbein was brought to Lawrence + Memorial Hospital, but his injuries were not life-threatening, according The Day.

“It was the worst wreck at the track this year,” Cohanzie Fire Chief John Mariano told The Day.

Driver Suspended

Meanwhile, on Tuesday the speedbowl announced that Wallingford driver Keith Rocco was suspended for the rest of the racing season after he fought with his former team owner, Mike Pane, according to racedayct.com.

Rocco got into a physical altercation Saturday night with Pane, his former team owner, according to the website. Pane now fields a team with Rocco’s twin brother, Jeff Rocco, according to racedayct.com.

Keith Rocco won the 35-lap SK Modified on Saturday, just beating out his brother, but took exception to some comments Pane made during the race, according to the website. Rocco confronted Pane after the race, and a physical altercation ensued, according to the website.

Rocco was looking for his third consecutive NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified division championship, according to the website. Those hopes have now been dashed.