Tue, May 5, 10:06 AM Rocca Runs Into Mechanical Failures During Eliminations

Courtesy of Bobby Bennett, Iron Horse Racing

DARLINGTON, S.C. - Johnny Rocca was enjoying one of his finest weekends of the 1998 season, but an untimely mechanical failure led to a mishap which took him out of the show during the first round. The Leesburg, Virginia reportedly hung a throttle on the burnout which forced him to get crossed up on the burnout. He subsequently tagged the guardrail. The Tin Indian 1933 Willys, subbing for the Ironhorse Mercury, suffered only cosmetic damage.

Rocca reached a milestone of sorts by qualifying for his first event since the inception of the high-helix blower in Pro Modified competition. He slipped into the field in the 15th spot with a 6.595/213.10. Despite the accident, Rocca was very much upbeat and anxious for the next opportunity to run on the IHRA/Snap-On Tools circuit.

We've gotten some tough breaks in the past two races, explained Rocca. This hurts my pride, I guess, you could say the most. But, we will have the Ironhorse Mercury back in a couple of weeks and we will be anxious to get cranking with a lighter an improved version.