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(Butler Township, Pa. 3-14-25) As part of Action Track USA Extras, fans of eastern Pennsylvania’s Evergreen Raceway are in for a thrilling season opener when the Winter Thaw takes place on Sunday afternoon, April 13.
Under a special promotion being staged by Rich Tobias, Evergreen’s opener will be the first of four races taking place at the track located in St. Johns and also marks the return of the ALL PRO SpeedSTRs and the Slingshot cars to the 1/3-mile paved oval for the first time in over 10 years.
Joining in on the action will be Evergreen’s 602 Crate Modifieds, Street Stocks and Four Cylinders.
For fans of Evergreen and pavement racing, this will be a must-see event as they will get to witness some of the best Northeast dirt racers bringing their talent to the pavement. Thus far a number of star-studded drivers have committed to running the Winter Thaw.
Heading up the list is Billy Pauch Jr., who is no stranger to racing on black-top and that includes Evergreen where he has competed in the past with a Tour Type Modified. However, despite 135 career wins, 31 of those coming in a SpeedSTR, Pauch Jr., will be looking to gain his first feature victory on an asphalt track. He does have a win on concrete with a TQ Midget.
A trio of drivers with past winning results at Evergreen and are powerhouse racers on dirt, Timmy Buckwalter, Matt Janisch and Tanner VanDoren, will all be competing in the Winter Thaw.
Dillon Steuer, who excels on both dirt and pavement surfaces, has added his name to the entry list along with popular 358 dirt Modified ace Ryan Krachun. Krachun got in some pavement racing earlier this year when he ran a Paul Hartwig Jr., owned 602 Crate Modified car at New Smyrna Speedway.
And that’s just an inkling as more name drivers plan on being part of this exciting new series.
As for the Slingshots, most fans have experienced their rough and tumble style at the indoor races and if you loved them there than chances are you will enjoy them equally as much when they run flat out at Evergreen.
For the ALL PRO SpeedSTRs it also sets in motion the first point race of the season for the Dirt/Asphalt Series that Tobias has put together. Along with Evergreen the SpeedSTRs cars will take on The Speedway at Pagoda MC presented by Foley Action Track which is located near Reading and will host an equal number of shows.
At Evergreen the SpeedSTRs will also be garnering points toward the 2025 World Championship standings which has a $25,000 point fund in place. Tobias has also put together a Dirt/Asphalt Series point fund totaling over $2000.
For Winter Thaw pit gates will open at 11:30 am and main grandstands at 12:30 pm. Hot laps will take place starting at 1:00 pm with racing beginning at 2:00 pm. Grandstands are $15 for adults, $13 for seniors, active military and kids aged 6-12. Under 5 are free.
Following the April 13 Winter Thaw, additional Tobias promoted races at Evergreen will be contested with the Summer Slam on Sunday, June 29, the Championship Event on Sunday, August 24 and the Fall Classic taking place Saturday, October 4.
Racers are encouraged to take in an open practice the day prior, Saturday, April 12. Anyone wishing to practice can do so at $25 per car.
Also, on that Saturday the track will host an Anything Swap Meet/Flea Market. Interested parties can obtain a vending spot for $25 and bring whatever to market or trade, be it racing items or domestic/household goods. Plus, there will be the Evergreen Food Truck Fare and Evergreen Circle Track Driving Experience.
A number of area and regional Food Truck vendors will be present to offer their delicacies to not just the fans of Evergreen but the entire area who are invited to come out and entice their taste buds with the many different offerings that will be available.
And in between all the practices, buying, selling and eating, folks will be able to get on track with the Evergreen Raceway Circle Track Driving Experience. This is a choice to either drive or ride in authentic stock cars, which include a Modified or Late Model.
It is favorably recommended that all Circle Track Driving Experience rides should be by appointment. To drive the Modified, it is $15 per lap while the Late Model is $10 per lap. For those wishing to do the Ride-along – which is with the Late Model – the cost is $50 and is for a designated set number of laps. Handicap accessible Late Model cars are available.
There is no admission for Saturday which begins at 11:00 am.
Anyone interested in obtaining a vendor spot or have inquiries about the Food Truck Fare or Circle Track Driving Experience, should contact Jason Makarewicz at 570-956-6347.
For more information on the All PRO SpeedSTRs and Slingshots please visit https://www.speedwayent.com/ or call Rich Tobias at 717-222-9874.
Evergreen Raceway, a 1/3-mile paved oval in St. Johns, Butler Township, Luzerne County, hosts motorsports events from February to November, making it a top entertainment choice in Northeast Pennsylvania.
For complete up to date news and information please log onto the official Evergreen Raceway website at https://www.evergreenracewaypark.com/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/evergreenraceway
