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Photo Matt Hirschman Racing
(Butler Township, Pa. 10-25-26) On Sunday afternoon, November 1, Evergreen Raceway will host the 25th running of the King of the Green (KoG), the signature event at the paved 1/3-mile oval and looking back between the Tour Type Modifieds and Late Models, there has been a who’s who of northeast asphalt short track racers who have graced Victory Lane.
A look back at the event’s highlights begins in 2001, when Russ Frantz and Jim Wismer Jr. won the inaugural Modified and Late Model features, respectively. Since then, the winners list has grown to include one driving great after another. Wismer is a three-time Late Model winner taking victories also in 2007 & ’08.
The following year Matt Hirschman was wrapping up his initial season of racing, and he did so with the first of an unprecedented 10 KoG Modified wins which also includes last year’s edition.
A win next Sunday will be a milestone for Hirschman as he goes for his 100th career combined wins between the two eastern Pennsylvania paved ovals, Evergreen Raceway and Mahoning Valley Speedway.
The same year Hirschman notched his first KoG, Larry Fisher collected the first of his record four Late Model KoG wins.
2003 was a very memorable KoG for Evergreen’s all-time career wins leader Brian DeFebo as he swept both the Modified and Late Model features that year.
Two-time track champion Eric Beers was KoG of the winner in 2004. In 2006 and 2009 Earl Paules Jr., was the Modified winner and also has a Late Model verdict coming in 2012.
Just as DeFebo did in ’03, Zane Zeiner accomplished the “Double” winning the Modified and Late Model mains in 2010.
Following in his famous father’s tire tracks, Travis Fisher earned a pair of KoG Late Model wins in 2009 and 2016.
Joining the ranks of multiple Late Model KoG winners are Nick Ross and Mike Sweeney with three each. And since 2021 they have been the only class winners.
Ike Iddings, Tony Hanbury, Rusty Smith, Roger Coss, Lou Strohl and Paulie Hartwig III are past Modified winners while standouts such as Joe Hoffman, Craig Lutz, Rob Osborne, Jarrod Hayes and Jerrick Johnson won in Late Models.
It is a distinguished list befitting one of the northeast’s most prestigious races.
Anticipation continues to build as the 25th annual King of the Green draws near. The Modifieds will compete in a 50-lap feature paying $2,500 to win, while the Late Models will race for a track-record $8,000 winner’s purse in the 100-lap DW Machine & Fabrication Company event. If 30 or more cars sign in on race day, the winner’s share will increase to an impressive $10,000.
Also, the Barbush Auto Sales Four Cylinders, Rotten-and-Forgotten and Factory Stocks will be on the card. The Four Cylinder feature will pay $800-to-win and $200 to-take-the green if 30 or more cars are signed-in.
An open practice will be held Saturday October 31, from noon to 5:00 pm. In the event of inclement weather, the King of the Green make-up date is Saturday, November 7.
Evergreen Raceway is located at 183 Mill Mountain Road, St. Johns, Pa. News and information on King of the Green including pre-registration and purse payouts can be found on the official track website at https://www.
