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By Dino Oberto
(Butler Township, Pa. 4-4-26) In this day and age of motorsports, Enduro racing can be considered as grassroots as it gets. The cars are not purpose-built but rather come right off the road and onto the track, albeit with the proper safety modifications.
And, on Saturday afternoon at Evergreen Raceway that was as true as it gets for race winner Jason Birch of Wilmington, DE. Amazingly the night before he was making pizza deliveries with his Mercedes Benz and by the conclusion of the $1000-to-win 100-lap 4/6-cylinder Enduro presented by the Wire Guys of Hazle Township, he was parking it in Victory Lane.
“The best part about this is that’s it’s a $1090 weekend because I was delivering pizzas in this car last night and I kid you not,” said Birch.
Evergreen Raceway got its first racing show of the season in Saturday afternoon, with a 100-lap Enduro and in customary fashion there was plenty of thrills, beating, banging and non-stop excitement from start to finish.
The outcome of this event truly sets it apart, making the race stand out as one of the most unforgettable experiences at Evergreen Raceway. And with grassroots racing at its core and a dramatic conclusion, it is clear that not only Birch but those in attendance will remember this day for years to come.
For Birch, there was an added bonus to his winning. He wore the same driving suit that his father, Art Birch, donned during his career. The elder Birch was a standout Micro Sprint racer and proudly joined his son for the victory celebration.
“I’ve been waiting to put this suit in Victory Lane that my dad took to so many wins years ago,” said Birch.
43 cars lined up on the starting grid with Birch very near the tail end in 40th. But by using patience and not to mention his smooth driving through loads of heavy traffic, he swiftly entered the top five by lap 20.
At this point there was no question he was making himself a probable factor and indeed he was. Several more laps went by, and he suddenly was up to second and gaining on leader Justin Guyle.
Keeping Guyle in his clutches, Birch was able to get past him as they crossed the line to complete the 38th circuit and from there on he was unstoppable.
Birch, who is a regular with Drifting, has been competing in Evergreen Enduro’s since 2021 and prior to today’s race he recorded a best finish of second. That race was also unique as he was once again driving a Mercedes only it was diesel powered.
“If you’re going to do it do in style. It’s always a lot of fun and there’s a heck of a lot of good competition here,” said Birch.
Guyle would hold on to take second, his best finish to date. Zach Petrie was third with Harry Meade and Paul Merchante rounding out the top five.
Feature finish (100-laps): 1. Jason Birch, 2. Justin Guyle, 3. Zach Petrie, 4. Harry Meade, 5. Paul Merchante, 6. Klem Underwood, 7. Tony Rispin, 8. Ray Kennedy, 9. Rachel Morgan, 10. Josh Reigel, 11. Brian Kohut, 12. Tom Robinson, 13. Molly Truszkowski, 14. Charles Sherry, 15. Kyle Buol. 16. Scott Adams, 17. Caitlyn Makarewicz, 18. Jordon Young, 19. Dan Baker, 20. Sebastian Guyle, 21. Cody Welliver, 22. Alex Fletcher, 23. Michael Mujsce, 24. Levi Vial, 25. TJ Kapish, 26. Larry Spencer, 27. Ricky Vanwhy, 28. Kendall Fletcher, 29. Pat Pahoda, 30. Jeff Engler, 31. Cy Spencer, 32. Harry O’Neill, 33. Austin Carey, 34. Shane Corcoran, Danny Casciolu, 35. Christina Bickel, 36. Chris Medley, 37. Brian Halecki, 38. Justin Riegel, 39. Michael Green, 40. Shane Elliott, 41. Chuck Culberson DQ: Jereme Spanburg
