Drive & Determination Have Helped Keep Rob Maxon On Track

Column By: BOBBY CHALMERS / RPW – POWNAL, VT – When a racer gets behind the wheel, the intensity begins to grow. Their nerves become on edge, pulse quickens, and heart begins to race. For Sportsman competitor Rob Maxon, that is something he lives for, in every sense of the word.

Maxon, driver of the Dane’s Auto Parts #96 Bicknell, has truly come of his own in the last couple of years, racing at both Albany-Saratoga and Lebanon Valley with a splattering of other tracks sprinkled in. He has taken checkers in Limited Sportsman competition at the Malta, NY oval but has yet to grace victory lane on the Valley’s high banks.

“I have really started to feel comfortable in our 2014 split rack Bicknell at the Valley, especially after Mr Dirt Track USA last August,” he said. “Randy (Williamson) from Bicknell came over and gave us a couple shock suggestions that the car really took to. Plans this year are to leave that car for chasing points at Lebanon and use our other car we have for the travel races.”

The family-owned team has worked hard to build themselves into a contenting team every time they hit the track. However, things were nearly over before they began.

You see, Rob experienced a health scare a few years back, but through the support of some great doctors along with his family and friends, to use the cliché, he never missed a beat.

“In August, 2015, at the age of 40, I passed out at a dentist appointment,” he said. “I hit my head pretty hard when I fell. While in the ER with my wife and mother, my heart rate dropped to zer0. That’s when they put a temporary pacemaker in.”

It was a scary situation for someone who tries to be a strong person for his family.

“That night was one of the hardest for my wife, I believe,” he said. “I kept asking over and over again where I was and what had happened. One of the scariest parts was not remembering I even had a race car. Every couple of minutes I asked what color it was, what it looked like, what happened, why was I here, over and over again.”

However, as the days went on, things began to improve.

“Starting the next day, I began to remember bits and pieces,” he said. “It was a very scary time for me. I can’t thank everyone enough who visited me at the hospital and checked in with Melissa all the time. Long story short, I tell people I’m now battery-operated.”

Outside of being there for his family, one thing that got Rob through all the medical problems was the idea of getting back in a racecar. Lucky for him, his team continued to work hard to make sure his car was set to go when he was.

“I’ll put our team up against any of them out there,” Maxon said. “From Melissa, to my dad, to Milo (Campbell) and the rest of our dedicated crew, they give me all they have and I can’t thank them enough. They really are the best.”

It’s that determination that helped Rob have his best season to date in 2016. Even though he didn’t pick up a victory, he finished 9th in track points at Lebanon Valley. It was that motivation which was the main reason the team made the decision to stick to the Valley again this season.

“We talked as a team and decided that Lebanon works better for us right now,” he said. “It’s hard to commit to Friday’s with having the help at the track. Plus, I grew up watching racing at the Valley.”

He isn’t limiting himself to Lebanon, however.

“I’m not saying you won’t see us run Albany-Saratoga more this year,” he said. “But, for now, we will run for points at LVS and the King of Dirt Series.”

For Rob’s wife, Melissa, having her husband on the track can always put her on the edge. That’s magnified greatly after the issues he’s had.

“Watching Rob race is very nerve-racking for me,” Melissa said. “I get sick to my stomach and pace a lot. I yell and hold my head when he’s close to people. It’s just a nervous thing I have I guess. I know he’s safe in the car with all the safety equipment, but my nerves get the best of me.”

However, she loves being there to watch him do what he loves.

“I’m never really ready for the season,” she said. “But I’ve been going to the races since I was a kid. I love it. Racing is a part of our life and this year I think we are in a good position with things.”

What makes her think they are in a better situation for 2017? Well, it’s not really a “what,” but rather a “who.” His name? Milo Campbell.

Milo is a former racer, who, through several medical situations of his own, took himself out of the driver’s seat a few years back. It was then that he realized how much he loved the sport and needed to be a part of it.

“I love racing and the racing community that we have as a whole,” Milo said. “After a few accidents and some medical stuff of my own, I realized I was better doing the marketing and publicity side for racing. I also just love helping people.”

Ironically, that was how Campbell’s Team Evil and the Maxon’s got hooked up.

“Last year, one Saturday night, Rob flipped his car at Lebanon and the #96 was destroyed,” Milo said. “I knew I wanted to help, so I talked things over with my fiancé and the next day we made some calls and found Rob a car. From that point on, I knew I had found the right situation to be a part of because the Maxon’s are just a great racing family and a group I love being a part of.”

The feeling about Milo is mutual.

“Milo has a huge heart,” Rob said with a grin. “He would give the shirt off his back to anyone that needed it. After the wreck that left our car in two pieces, he left Melissa a voicemail saying he wanted me back in a car and was searching for one…simple as that.”

The entire Maxon team is grateful to have Campbell’s support and knows things are only going to get better.

“Milo’s determined to do the best he can for our race team,” Rob said. “He eats, sleeps and thinks racing all day long. He’s always talking to people trying to find sponsors to help us out. We wouldn’t be where we are this season if it wasn’t for Milo.”

It’s that drive by everyone at Maxon Racing & Team Evil which has the team sitting in the top 10 in points once again at Lebanon Valley while also chasing after the 2017 King of Dirt Sportsman Series crown. It’s also that determination which leaves no doubt in my mind that the team will be contending for many more checkered flags in the very near future.