(Interview) Maine Legend Mike Rowe: Racing Through Adversity and Leaving a Lasting Legacy

Action shot of Mike Rowe, courtesy of: 3 Wide Media Productions

March 14th, 2024

Early Career and Oxford 250 Dominance

Put simply: Mike Rowe is a racing legend. Rowe's journey in the world of short-track racing began in the early 1970s when he first stepped onto the track at Oxford Plains Speedway. His remarkable talent behind the wheel quickly became evident as he carved his name into the record books.

In 1984, Rowe became the first Maine driver to claim victory in the prestigious Oxford 250. His triumph marked the beginning of a legacy that would resonate throughout the racing community for decades to come. With unparalleled skill and determination, Rowe secured multiple victories in the Oxford 250, becoming a three-time champion, all in different decades: 1984, 1997, and 2005. His prowess on the track and his ability to navigate the challenges of one of racing's most gruelling, and difficult to qualify for events through so many different eras (40 starts total, the most of anyone) and his more than 100 wins at Oxford Plains Speedway counting PASS & the Super Late Model track division, solidified his status as a true racing legend.

Scotia Speedworld 250 Success

Rowe's dominance extended beyond the confines of Oxford Plains Speedway and the broader Northeast USA, along the way, he has notable achievements at the Scotia Speedworld 250 lap annual race in Nova Scotia. With 8 starts at the event, he showcased his exceptional talent by clinching 2 victories and securing an impressive 5 top-five finishes.

Family Legacy and Historic Milestones

The Rowe family's influence in racing extended beyond Mike's individual accomplishments. Racing became a family affair, with Mike's son, Ben Rowe, following in his father's footsteps and making his own significant mark on the sport everywhere they went, also including Nova Scotia, Canada. Together, they formed a dynamic duo on the track, with both father and son securing multiple victories in the prestigious Oxford 250. Their combined achievements, including many shared top-3 podium finishes and historic milestones, cemented their status as one of racing's most iconic father-son duos.

An Enduring Impact

Throughout his illustrious career, Rowe's impact on the world of short-track racing transcended just the victories and accolades. He embodied the spirit of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication, inspiring generations of aspiring racers to chase their dreams and never give up in the face of adversity. His legacy continues to resonate within the racing community, serving as a testament to the enduring passion and unwavering commitment that define the sport.

In his last Oxford 250 victory, he failed to qualify via the heat race and when forced to go through a stacked consi race, he again failed to make the cut line. In an immortalized moment, though, after highlighting the unpredictable nature of the Oxford 250, and the challenges that even seasoned veterans like Rowe can face, due to the format, and giant entry list of gifted drivers. Despite his extensive experience and skill behind the wheel, Rowe found himself in a position where he needed to secure a starting position from the last chance race.

This turn of events underscores the competitive nature of the sport and the importance of resilience in the face of setbacks. Rowe's determination to bounce back from this setback and seize victory in the last chance race was a statement of refusal to be deterred by obstacles, as he would go on to win the 250 that night, after already running close to 100 laps, and starting 37th.

The Year Off

In 2022, we didn’t see much at all of Mike Rowe. He was dealing with prostate cancer, but despite facing challenges off the track, Rowe's perseverance and resolve continue to inspire and resonate, as he came back full swing in 2023. His story serves as a reminder that success is not defined by one's ability to avoid obstacles, but rather by one's willingness to confront them head-on and persevere against all odds.

Interview

Hey, Mike. I just wanted to say, first of all, thank you so much for taking the time to have a conversation with me. And also, much deserved congratulations on the honour that you had there with the Saturday Hero Award that you got in Daytona there. I'd say auto racing's been around not much longer than 100 years now, and you're going to go down in the history books as one of the most significant people to do it in a lot of ways, I believe. On a quick note as well, so I'm from Halifax, Nova Scotia.

I'm 36, so in the 90s there when I was really young, they had ACT there with Pro Stocks. They had MASCAR, but of course, PASS was running in Nova Scotia and around the region for a little while there as well. So, anyway, I grew up with a lot of my earlier racing memories and some of my fondest were watching you with Benji [Mike’s son, Ben Rowe] and Scott Fraser racing for wins.

Yeah, it was good back then. It's tragic what happened to Scotty. He was an up-and-comer, and star himself. It's just a tragic loss. [Yeah, it really is. And from what I've heard, he was so very much respected. Obviously in his hometown, and and around the region, but from the impression I've gotten, I mean, all over - all the way down to Florida and the Carolina’s and everything, but I understand he was very well respected in the Maine and New England area as well] He sure was you know he was a good little racer and good personality. He had it all going for him. [Yeah, worked on his own equipment, as well.]

Your latest Oxford 250 win: where you were the only driver to win from the Last Chance Race. Were you allowed to change tires at any point between the heat race, consi race, last chance race, and then the 250 feature, where you were the only drive to win the feature after the last chance race.

Yeah, we definitely had our work cut out for us that day, for sure. You know, we had a large field of cars that day, and had a lot of things working against us. But we got the car dialed in there at the end, and that helps us a ton, you know.

Yeah, and it's such a difficult format. Even now, well, you know, car counts and stuff like that across the board aren't quite what they used to be at a certain time, but the Oxford 250 still draws some incredibly large car counts, especially... compared to any other race really across the country. And the way that heat race format, that random draw, you know, pans out. Like, you could end up dead last in the last heat race. You could have one of the best cars in there. Only a few make it from the consi, and only two from the last chance. It can be a heck of a tough race to qualify for, that's for sure.

You single-handedly proved that many really good cars capable of winning the main feature end up missing every year, with such large car counts, so many talented drivers, and a difficult/random heat race system.

Yeah it sure is, like you say, that’s the luck of the draw. You need to draw a good number, because if you don’t, it’s the same thing as you say, you could have the fastest car there not make the show. But there you have a lot of laps to be patient. I’ve seen a lot of guys running up front with no patience, and they don't quality. We used our head, took it easy, and kept digging to the front, and that helped us.

So you mentioned adjustment wise - so like I know, well, I guess it wouldn't matter in this case. So, for instance, in some races, say they do a time trial qualification. In that case, it totally makes sense. But even maybe with a heat race, for instance, sometimes you need to impound your car after qualifying. And if you make adjustments afterwards, then you get sent to the rear, that kind of thing.

In your situation, regardless of the rule, I guess they couldn't really... I mean, they could send you to the rear, but that's where you had to start the feature anyway. But would you normally be allowed to make adjustments before the 250 feature?

Oh, you could. You could make adjustments if you wanted. And like I say, we kept starting at the rear of all of them. Finally, we got the car dialed in good and ended up winning that. But yeah, you can make all adjustments you want. Like if you want to make an adjustment for the weather or something on the track. But there again, you still have to make sure that you get the right adjustments.

Right. Yeah, there's that too. I think of, well, there's a bunch of different ways that goes. But I think of even like when Bubba Pollard won it on his first try there. I remember the second year he came. he felt a lot more confident about his car. And then turned out that he had something figured out a lot better this first try. It's hard to know sometimes what changes are going to help you or not, I guess.

Yeah, exactly.

But to be clear, so you can make those adjustments, and you will keep your position, though. Like, hypothetically, if you qualified on the front row and you decide to make some... some adjustments before the the feature itself, then you would still keep your position, yeah?

Yeah, you could, you know, as long as you do as long as you're within the rules, yeah.

Another thing I'm wondering then, so, as far as tire changing, is there any point in between the heat Race, Consi Race, and Last Chance race, and then the 250 where you can take fresh sticker tires? Obviously you can change tires during the 250, and you wouldn't do it during a race like the heat race or Consi or anything, but between any of those races, are you allowed, for example, just before the 250, or are you allowed between the Consi and Last Chance, or how does the tire change situation work there?

Yeah, if you want after a heat race and don't qualify in, you can buy two tires for the consi, which would help you a little bit. But, you know, it depends on how your car's going, if you want to buy the tires.

True, I suppose it’s a little different than when you’re running those really soft tires in some of the Super Late Model stuff on an abrasive track, and 50 laps in you’re sliding on ice almost.

Yeah. Well, you know, there again, you've got to be smart and save your tires sometimes, too, you know. If you go balls to the walls right away, and then not go anywhere, you'd be going backwards.

For sure. But when you did start the 250 from the back there, were you on a fresh set of tires, or were you on quite a bit older?

I think we put on 2 new ones. We ran everything there was, and that was a 50 lapper, so I think it was entitled. Maybe it was 4 (tires) To be honest with you, I can't exactly remember. We did put at least 2 on.

Yeah. which is still a lot though a lot of laps because the last chance I think being a 50 lapper, then the heat race I think is about 20 and the consi is about 20 I think, so it's already about a good 90 laps of racing. If you put two on that would have been two right sides, I’m assuming?

Yeah, and then we would save those, and we were able to change, I think, four more after that, so we were still in still pretty good shape.

Yeah, and then 250 laps to make up the time. You’ve just got to stay out of trouble too, which must be difficult with that large of a field in front of you.

You know what they say, we finally got the car hooked up, so it kind of headed to the right, you know, and everything worked out good for us.

You’ve raced a lot at Scotia Speedworld, in Nova Scotia. That is my home track as a fan, and I grew up watching you and Ben Rowe with Scott Fraser there. It’s incredible to see you still racing. What was the experience at Scotia Speedworld like, and do you ever miss it?

Yeah, I wouldn’t mind going back. I believe one more time - I know I drove for Stevie Henderson and Cecil (Vance) up there, and we had a good time. My most memorable was Brian, when we was having troubles, he was the Grand Marshal at the race at the Atlantic Cat 250, we won that, and we ended up giving him the trophy, and I gave him a ride around the car, but that's probably one of my most special moments up there.

That’s really nice to hear. Do you think there is any possibility of you someday making a return to Canada for a race? You said you’d like to sometime - do you think there is a possibility of you making a return someday for a race, and what it might hypothetically take to make a race? Also, honestly, I wish you would be selected as the honorary driver for the IWK 250 before your eventual retirement… If that ever happens (you retiring), hah. Sometimes I think you’ll be racing when you’re 150 years old. They typically go for drivers with long-term NASCAR pedigree’s, or someone like Carson Hocevar last year who is kind of in the prime of his Super Late Model stuff right now, but also becoming as NASCAR star now.

But really, it is very well deserved, and would be a special moment.

Well, definitely right now I am actually headed to Hickory, North Carolina to watch my son Ben tomorrow. I’m kind of concentrating on him more than me - I mean, I might race 5 of 6 races this year, unless you can get Stevie Henderson or Cecil for me - Cecil is still living up there, isn’t he?

Don’t quote me on this, I am pretty certain about Stevie Henderson still being active with a car here, Cecil I am not positive about, unfortunately. Perhaps a conversation could be hatched at some point.

Yeah! Tell him you talked to me, and if Stevie calls, and he wants a driver up there for one of those races, to let me know. I am driving for Mikey Fowler, and Travis Caruso at Oxford this year, but if it doesn’t conflict with that, heck, I’d come up there, you know. I enjoy going up there.

That would be amazing. I think some of the younger fans who might not be quite as familiar, and a lot of the fans who have been people who are my age, my father, an awful lot of people, would be very receptive to seeing you back there, I’m sure

That sponsor of the race there now, isn’t that Cole Butcher’s father, who sponsors that?

That’s right, yeah - Darrin Butcher with Atlantic Tiltload. Well - so, the IWK 250 side of things is with the Donald Chisholm family, but the - what you called the Atlantic CAT 250, it’s been rebranded as the Summer Clash 250, the one at Scotia Speedworld, and that’s Atlantic Tiltload as the flagship sponsor. I will definitely bring that up - I suppose you may run into them at Hickory this weekend, too.

Yeah, talk to ‘em if you want. Cole I think raced up there last year, and ended up winning it? Him, or his kid, or brother, or something?

Yeah, so Cole, last year was, 2023, was unfortunately the only year that Cole didn’t have any races in the Maritimes. I’m sure he would have liked to have at least been there for the Scotia 250, but he had some things going on with his relocating to the United States, and it just didn’t work out last year, unfortunately. This year though, I fully expect that he will be there.

But yes, his younger brother Jarrett, he won the most races in the Pro Stock Tour, actually, in 2023. And this year, Cole and his brother Jarrett will both be racing the Scotia 250. And actually, they're going to share their race at Hickory, so Cole's trying to give Jarrett some more seat time, so you'll be seeing both of them race between the two races this weekend.

Well, that's good. Yeah, that's good.

Yeah, nice family. Very humble.

Yeah, they do a good job. I know Cole won the last two Easter Bunnies down there, so that's good. He does it very well down there.

Yeah, he's done pretty impressive and, well, in a lot of places, but in Hickory in particular, I think even in one of his first races ever in the states, when no one at all, kind of outside of here, knew who the heck he was, he ran very strong. He won the last two Hickory Easter Bunny races, the twin Bunnies the year before, I think he led the most laps along with William Byron and maybe had some late mechanical issues or a wreck or something. And then at the ASA race last year at Hickory, I think he finished second.

Yeah he does a good job, for sure yeah and then you know he's uh he does very well, because I guess he works on the cars all the time, they say, down there, and that that helps. That's a big plus, right there. He knows what he wants and in a car, and that’s good.

Oh yeah, he works really, really hard on the cars. Someone on his team told me that he probably spends as much time tinkering with the springs before the race, as he does doing anything else. And someone else on his team made a joke to me, that I think might be half serious, one of the members of the team was showing me their springs, and he said, there's probably enough Springs in the shop for all of Atlantic Canada for racing.

Ha ha ha, yeah, but, you know, that’s where he’s good. He knows what he wants, and what to demand for each track, and that’s why he’s so good.

And I mean, it's shown, like, he kind of got it early on - he even started to kind of get a reputation for himself. He qualified near and on the front row of the Snowball Derby two years in a row. He qualified second and on the pole at the All-American 400 around the same time period, too. All that kind of preparation time, it shows.

So he’s going to run one night you said, and his brother the other, is that what you said? Are they going to have two cars there or what?

Yeah, so as far as I know, so it's going to be his family team, not the Donnie Wilson team. And, yeah, so he wanted to give his brother the seat time, and I guess they've, like, done some repaving and a little bit of stuff like that too. So Cole wants to run the first night, kind of get a feel for how it is I think, and then he's going to give his brother the keys to the car for night two.

When I noticed you barely race, if at all, in 2022, and Ben was in your car, I assumed you finally hung up the gloves. Then in 2023, I come to find out you had a battle with cancer, which you beat, and came back from. I find it pretty remarkable. Do you realistically have any plans on when to retire? Or is it basically just when the time feels right, if ever, and keep going indefinitely for now?

Well, I was supposed to be done last year, because that was kind of the deal with the Fowler’s and Caruso, and they were selling their equipment. And then Mayberry came through with this $30,000 to win race, so they called and said heck, we’ve got to make a few more races. And right now I feel pretty good, so I think I can still beat some of those little young whippersnappers. So, we'll have to see what happens.

Awesome. Yeah. You can see how the, see how every year goes maybe. And you can just kind of do the race selection, some of these big races. And yeah, I think that's a good idea.

Yeah, yeah. And if you get a chance to get a chance to talk to Stevie Henderson or something, tell him — I think Stevie still does cars, doesn’t he? Does he have someone driving for him, or?

Yeah, I am pretty sure. I will definitely reach out though, and get back to you, too. First of all it’s overdue, it’s been a long time, and I think that would be great.

Yeah, well good talking with you, and if you hear something, just give me back, or let me know.

Yeah, absolutely, and lastly, you’d like to thank, or give a shout-out to or anything like that?

Well, when I got hooked-up at Beechridge (Motor Speedway) with Vicky Fowler and Mikey Fowler and the family, and then with Caruso, and they’ve been a big part of my racing here for the last 10 years so if it wasn’t for them, I probably wouldn’t be racing. But they still think I got it, so as long as they think that, I'm going to keep going.

Conclusion

In the history books of short-track racing history, few names command the same level of respect and admiration as Mike Rowe. His unparalleled success on the track, coupled with his unwavering determination and indomitable spirit, have earned him a rightful place among the sport's greatest legends. As the echoes of his victories reverberate through the halls of racing lore, Mike Rowe's legacy stands as a testament to the trans-formative power of passion, perseverance, and the pursuit of excellence.