News Director 
Story By: BOBBY CHALMERS / MAXON RACING – POWNAL, VT – Saturday night was the highest-paying race of the season at Lebanon Valley Speedway, the Andrew Sherman Memorial $2,000-to-win race, and Rob Maxon was hunting for the big payday. While he didn’t take home the big prize, he did come away with a solid fifth place finish and moved to second in points at the ‘Valley of Speed.’
Rob started the main event in the 14th position and quickly started his march towards the front. He would get caught up in a couple of small issues which hurt then handling of his #96 Danes Auto Parts Bicknell but that didn’t slow him down.
“Traffic definitely hurt us tonight,” Maxon said. “We got caught up in a wreck in turns three and four and someone got into our right rear and knocked the rear end out of square. After that, the car was just a handful to drive.”
Unfortunately, however, due to several early cautions, track officials decided to go to single file for restarts. That made things even more challenging for Maxon
“We didn’t need the single file restarts,” he said. “I had a hard time getting past guys once the car wasn’t 100% and going single file that early didn’t help.”
Even with the problems, Rob came home fifth and, while happy with his result, he knows there’s still work to be done.
“So far so good but I think our shock package’s a little off for the current track conditions,” he said. “We’re working to get the right combination. It doesn’t seem to plant the right rear when I get back on the gas…no side bite whatsoever, but we’ll get it.”
Friday night at Albany-Saratoga was tough for Maxon and the Mulready Racing Team. After missing a qualifying spot in the heat race, Rob had to start deep in the feature. While he was looking to get going and make his way forward, someone else had other ideas.
“Started 20th, we just trying to get going and see how our car was,” he said. “Someone else decided they wanted to win the race in two laps. We got spun in turn three and were hit multiple times. That broke our left front spindle and ended things for us.”
Maxon ended the night in 29th position, but will get another crack at the ‘Great Race Place’ this week as the Sportsman Shootout Series takes place for a $1,000-to-win main event. It’s also kiddie ride night at the track. Race time is 7pm.
