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By Dino Oberto
(Butler Township, Pa. 11-22-25) Saturday evening at the Edgewood Country Club in Drums, a fine gathering of racers, teams, fans and staff came together to celebrate the 2025 season at nearby Evergreen Raceway.
It marked the 10th Championship and Awards Banquet under the direction of owner/promoter Jason Makarewicz who consistently pledges a great place to race. In 2025, Makarewicz continued his decade-long commitment to ensuring that visitors to Evergreen enjoy a well-managed event and fair treatment.
“It’s been our mission to always make certain our fans and drivers along with their teams come here and leave here with a positive outlook and I feel that thanks to my great staff we were able to provide that to each and everyone one of them,” said Makarewicz.
“Proof of that of that comes from this great turnout we have here this evening for the banquet, and I’m humbled by everyone’s support of Evergreen not only from this past season but since day one when we first took on this venture. It’s amazing to think that this marks 10 years for us running the track and I’m looking forward to the next 10 and beyond.”
The presentation of awards were handed out to select drivers in the 602 Crate Modifieds, Late Models, Harry’s U-Pull-It Street Stocks, Himmer Graphics Four Cylinders, McNulty Funeral Home Novice’s and the Legends. Plus, the JuiceBox Division was also recognized.
Steve Shultz of Drums, for the second consecutive season, was the 602 Crate Modified champion. This year’s title was not decided until the final point’s race of the year where he collected his only win and nipped Micah Adams, who was runner-up in that race and in the standings. Both drivers battled all season long with Shultz able to come out on top when it counted most. This marked his fifth overall track championship.
White Haven’s Nick Ross scored his fourth Evergreen Late Model title and did so with a season of near perfection in which he never finished lower than second place and was a class leading four-time feature winner. Overall, Ross now owns six Late Model championships with two coming at Mahoning Valley Speedway. His career wins total is up to 40 feature wins.
Gordie Buchman of Sugarloaf is the 2025 Street Stock champion. Buchman has been coming to Evergreen Raceway since he was an infant. His family has strong ties to the track with his dad Gordon Buchman, the class title-holder 34 years ago. Now Gordie can proudly add his name to that list. His road to the championship was hard fought over runner-up Bobby Hunsicker Jr.. But on the strength of two feature wins and the consistency of strong finishes, Buchman claimed the well-earned championship that he had fought so hard for over the past few seasons.
TJ Kapish, who hails from Mountain Top, continued to re-write the record books in the Four Cylinder division. By picking up five wins en-route to the 2025 crown Kapish extended his all-time class winners total to 24. Eight of his nine starts were top five finishes, and he also started out the year with a 100-lap Enduro victory which upped his overall career wins total to 44 which has him ranked 4th all-time at the track.
By winning the Novice division, Gavin Higgins added to a great family legacy of Evergreen champions which includes his father Kevin, uncle Mike Higgins and cousin, Tyler Skodensky. Higgins raced to a trio of victories and also collected four out of five heat wins which helped gain those needed points and ultimately garner the class championship.
Chris Sinatro of West Hempstead, NY journeyed to Evergreen and the two+ hour tow was well worth the trip as he picked up the Legends championship which came in a close battle over his teammate, Jeffry Farrugia. Sinatro won in the first outing of the season and then maintained steady finishes through the rest of the season to add his name to the long-list of Evergreen Legends champs. Sintaro was also the East Coast Legends Series Asphalt titlist.
Randy Ahner Jr., Mallory Kutz and Caitlyn Makarewicz were awarded Rookie of the Year respectively in the 602 Crate Modifieds, Street Stock and Four Cylinders.
The young talent of the JuiceBox Division was awarded by coordinator Rebecca Barbush with trophies, gift bags and a personalized banner.
Makarewicz closed out the awards portion of the evening by addressing the gathering with his thanks to all and that plans are well underway for the 2026 season.
Following dinner and the distribution of awards all in attendance enjoyed dancing and merriment.
There is one final event that will be held at Evergreen, a 100-lap 4/6-Cylinder Enduro on Saturday afternoon, December 13.
