Fierce racers and descendants of the Cook Out dynasty, Max and Roo Reaves continue to build their bond at Cook Out Summer Shootout each year. Taking what they’ve learned about racing from family friend and NASCAR Hall of Fame driver and analyst Bobby Labonte, the boys have found great success this season, meeting each other in victory lane twice.
“Bobby Labonte introduced me to quarter midgets when I was about 7 or 8 years old,” said older brother Max. “Then my love for it [racing] kind of just went on from there.”
The 14-year-old aspiring racer has had plenty of success so far this summer, already earning three wins from behind the wheel of his No. 88 Legend Car in the Night Owl Companies Young Lions division.
Following in his big brother’s footsteps, 8-year-old Roo started his summer season in the Night Owl Companies Beginner Bandoleros division, raking in three wins before advancing to the seven to 11-year-old Bandits division. Already making his mark, Roo got a fourth-place finish in his first Bandits competition on July 9.
In his fan-favorite can't-miss No. 40 “Shakey”-themed Bandolero, Roo shows homage to the family business, highlighting Cook Out’s 40 different milkshake flavors each week on the track.
When asked, Roo said his favorite part of racing is winning. Alongside winning Roo highlights that spending time with his brother at the Cook Out Summer Shootout is another part of the summer he enjoys.
“I do like racing here [at Cook Out Summer Shootout] with Max,” said Roo. “We [Roo and Max] get to spend time together a lot.”
With two explosive wins on the same night from the boys in both Rounds 1 and 4, the two were able to celebrate together in Victory Lane.
Up-and-coming driver, Max, says Cook Out Summer Shootout has brought him and Roo closer as he tries to be a mentor to Roo whenever he can.
“It puts a lot of pressure on me to be better because he [Roo] looks up to me. We hang out all the time,” said Max. “When it comes to advice, I tell him not to be scared.”
In addition to spending time with his younger brother, the high-level competition is what makes racing at Charlotte worthwhile for Max, especially with the family business, Cook Out being the event’s primary sponsor.
“You get to see Cook Out everywhere, it’s cool to see,” said Max. “There’s so much competition. Keelan’s [Harvick] really fast, Neal [Dulin] is very fast. It’s just fun. It’s good racing. The best competition in racing is in North Carolina.”
Gearing up for a season championship, Max sits in the top spot in Cook Out Summer Shootout points. Leading Harvick by three points, Max is in it to win it with one final round of battle to go.
For Max on top of his Legend Car racing, the Joe Gibbs development driver is getting seat time in pro late models and late model stock cars preparing to get started in the ARCA Menards Series next season. As Roo continues to grow in his racing career in addition to Bandoleros, he is getting experience with quarter-midgets, outlaw karts and go-karts.
While the brothers balance their own rapidly growing racing careers, Max and Roo remain close and continue to support each other in each step, both eagerly chasing more checkered flags.
NEXT UP:
Next Tuesday, July 30, Charlotte Motor Speedway prepares for the final round of Cook Out Summer Shootout action and its championship coronation on Champions Night, presented by the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Titles will be won, and legacies will be cemented as the summer is capped off with a fireworks show and autograph session with the world’s best grassroots racers.
ABOUT COOK OUT SUMMER SHOOTOUT:
Cook Out Summer Shootout is a 10-race showcase of speed among eight different divisions of Legend Cars and Bandoleros. Races are held each Tuesday night, with drivers accumulating points throughout the summer towards a season-ending championship.
TICKETS:
Fans dressed in current or former Cook Out Summer Shootout Driver merchandise will receive $5 off their ticket purchase. Tuesdays $15 tickets include racing action and fireworks; kids 12 and under get in FREE. For tickets, schedules and more details about all the happenings at Charlotte Motor Speedway, visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/tickets.
KEEP TRACK:
Follow all the thrilling Cook Out Summer Shootout action at Charlotte Motor Speedway on X, Facebook and Instagram.
