News Director 
Story By: BOBBY CHALMERS / MAXON RACING – POWNAL, VT – One spot. That’s how close Rob Maxon was to capturing the opening night win at Lebanon Valley Speedway on Saturday, but he’s okay with it.
Maxon, the 2018 Mr. Excitement award winner at the speedway, started the 2019 season off very nicely as he chases his first career track championship. After winning his heat race, Rob started in the third spot and got to the runner-up position but couldn’t catch winner John Virgilio by the time the 20-lap feature was complete.
“Our car was good tonight but I was a little loose in center of corner,” Maxon said. “I think the steering box went bad about halfway through the race. It felt like I had a flat front tire and when the race was over, my shoes were covered in fluid.”
Maxon had a fast car, but knew with a heads-up start, and having Virgilio and pole-sitter Chris Lynch ahead of him, he’d have to get to the lead quickly if he wanted a shot at the win.
“John was fast all night, and so was Chris,” he said. “We got by Chris and I think we could have stayed with John, but I’m not sure we had anything to get by. He was strong off the corners and passing was tough. Your only hope was if the guy in front of you made a mistake, and he never did.”
Now, Rob’s focus turns to his Friday night program at the Albany-Saratoga Speedway, where, for 2019, he’s picked up a ride with Mulready Racing. This is an opportunity Rob is very grateful to have.
“I can’t thank the Mulready’s enough for the chance to drive for them at the Great Race Place,” he said. “We both have a lot to learn with the car but I definitely think after a couple outings, we can be a contender. We’ll be running with the best of the best at Malta each Friday.”
The Mulready machine is a Teo Pro Car which is a completely different compared to the Bicknell Rob runs at the Valley. However, he’s getting use to it.
“Their car is definitely a different animal from what I run at the Valley,” he said. “I have to thank Scott Duell and John Stowell for their help with tips on setting up the Teo.”
Rob’s next race, Mother Nature willing, is Friday night at Albany-Saratoga.
