When Max Cookson of Pittsfield was 16 years old, he was doing some simulated racing on his computer.
Sim racing, as it is called, refers to software that tries to replicate auto racing including fuel usage, car damage, tire wear and settings on the vehicle.
Cookson won a race and the payoff was $10,000.
What did he do with his winnings?
“I bought my first race car,” said Cookson, who purchased a Modified car and began racing at Oxford Plains Speedway.
That was in 2020.
Just four years later, the 21-year-old Cookson is among the favorites to win Sunday’s 51st running of the Oxford 250 at Oxford Plains Speedway.
He’s the possessor of a very impressive resume that includes Oxford Plains Speedway points championships in the Modified and Super Late Model classes; a Pro All-Stars Series National Super Late Model championship; North Division SLM and Modified championships and the Alan Kulwicki Driver Development Program Kulwicki Cup title.
The Kulwicki Cup involves seven drivers being chosen from a multitude of applicants across the country who are then judged based on their performances on the track in their respective areas and their community service and charity work.
A panel picks the winner and he became the first New Englander to claim the title, after tallying 1,137 points which was 294 points better than Haeden Plybon from Spokane, Washington.
In 31 total races last year, Cookson captured five wins, 17 top-five finishes and 26 top-10s.
He earned $54,439 and got to hoist the Kulwicki Cup trophy which is named after the late NASCAR Hall of Famer.
The PASS SLM national and north championships, the OPS weekly SLM title and the Kulwicki win all occurred last year.
“It has been quite the wild ride,” said Cookson, who raced go-karts when he was a youngster. “It has definitely been a fast progression.
“To win the Kulwicki Cup was unbelievable,” he said. “There have been so many great drivers who have gone through that program and so many from New England. But to be the first one from New England to win it was super awesome.”
Cookson would love to add the Oxford 250 championship to his resume.
“I would trade all the championships for a win in the Oxford 250,” said Cookson.
Cookson credits four influential people for his success: Ben Tinker, Ben Ashline, Jason Ricker and current crew chief Kevin Nobley.
“I’ve surrounded myself with the right people. They have sped up my progress at an unbelievable rate. I’ve learned a lot from them,” said Cookson. “It’s if you’re the smartest person in the room you’re in the wrong room kind of thing.
Cookson, who works on race cars for a living at his race shop in Palmyra, finished fifth in his first Oxford 250 two years ago and sixth last year after leading 119 laps.
“We have been so strong in the beginning portions of the race but that last pit stop, those last adjustments and that last set of tires have to be perfect,” said Cookson. “Hopefully the car is where it needs to be.”
Cookson has had a challenging season with just one top three finish in five PASS North SLM races.
“When you have a year like last year, it’s so hard to top,” said Cookson, who knows a win on Sunday will erase any frustrations he has had with the season to date.
The Oxford 250 weekend will kick off with a new 200-lap SLM open race on Friday night. Racing for several classes including the 200-lapper will begin at 5 p.m.
The winner of the 200-lapper will pocket $10,000.
Cookson won’t run the Friday race but said he likes the idea of it.
“For guys who want to build a car for it, I think it will be super cool,” said Cookson, who intends to watch the race.
The Oxford 250 field will not include defending two-time champ Cole Butcher from Nova Scotia because he has been banned from the PASS Tour for his (aggressive) driving style by Tom Mayberry, the founder, owner and president of PASS who also owns Oxford Plains Speedway.
In addition to Cookson, here are four other drivers who will be among the favorites to take home the $25,000 winner’s prize in addition to lap money:
Johnny Clark: The Hallowell driver won the 2020 Oxford 250 and was leading the 2022 race with eight laps remaining when Butcher made contact with him and spun him around en route to Victory Lane. Clark hasn’t finished lower than fifth in the last five 250s. He is currently second in the PASS SLM North points behind D.J. Shaw.
Joey Doiron: The Berwick racer hasn’t finished lower than sixth in his last five 250 starts and was second a year ago. He won the first ever Celebration of America 300 at OPS in July and is second in the PASS National points standings.
D.J. Shaw: The Center Conway, New Hampshire, native is another driver who has been a consistent contender at the 250. He has finished third twice in the last five 250s and has four top-six finishes in the last six. Shaw has a healthy 153-point lead in the PASS SLM points standings and is also atop the SLM National points standings.
Eddie MacDonald: The Rowley, Massachusetts, driver is a two-time winner of the 250 as he captured back-to-back races 2009 and 2010. He finished second in 2022 and sixth in 2021.
