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A Christmas Day Miracle is about to come ‘full circle’
by Carol Houssock
(Wescosville, PA) Now 15, Sarabeth Mesko won the 2024 novice 4 Cylinder track championship at Evergreen Raceway in St. John’s, PA in 2024. She assumed she’d be running the 4 Cylinder in 2026, as she
had done in ’25.
But Sarabeth had dreams of seeing a 602 Crate Modified in the driveway on
Christmas morning. Her dream came true when Christine and Tom Vitale bought, prepped, and parked a 602 Crate mod in the driveway December 25th .
Sarabeth is a fighter, having achieved that championship, and outlining more goals, while
battling a rare form of thyroid cancer.
Her father, Steve, has been her crew chief and biggest supporter in her racing program. He still
pinches himself with the speed everything came together. “It took a handful of miracles, a
boatload of amazing people, and a ton of incredibly generous sponsors! To think, from 5
months ago when we were planning to run the 4cyl class again, to be turning laps at race speed
in an absolutely beautiful, and fast, 602 Modified is mind blowing.”
Those laps took place at Evergreen’s practice sessions. Jason Makarewicz, owner of the track,
had been mulling around the idea of adding another rookie division. “The 602 Crate Modified
class has really come into its own, especially over the last two years, and we see it only getting
better. I was asked several times in 2025 to consider putting together a rookie class for some of the
younger racers we have who want to move up but lack the experience in making the step up to a
Modified,” he says. He and his team decided that adding a Rookie class was the right thing to do.
“The class is for younger drivers with limited experience. It will help acquaint them with these cars
while they get up to speed.” Rules mandate a gear reduction, rev limiter restruction, drivers need
approval to run the class, they must complete an orientation, and the track will not award points for
a limited schedule.
The orientation provided drivers extensive track time, exclusively reserved for their use. The
program helps racers gain confidence to ensure they are fully prepared for the upcoming
season. Steve Mesko says his daughter wore out the practice tires he took to the track.
Sarabeth was grateful to everyone who helped make this possible. “I ran about 120 laps and got
really comfortable running some great, fast laps,” she said.
The sharp #87 is sponsored by J&E Trucking, Tracy Becker Construction, WenMar LLC,
Champagne Limousine Service, E Schneider & Sons, Pediatric Cancer Foundation of the Lehigh
Valley, Childhood and Adolescent Thyroid Consortium, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Aura
Juicery, Star Fire, Himmer Graphics, and Low Down Entertainment.
Sarabeth is a role model for anyone fighting a serious medical issue. She’s taking her fighting
spirit to Evergreen Raceway on May 3 rd with the debut in her dream car, made possible by a
legion of believers. Race time is 2:00 PM. “Bring it on. I’m ready,” says Sarabeth.
