past present future

What can Possibly Change Over Four Decades of Racing???

By Gene Ostrowski
May, 2006

Well, as the story was told, Mountain Speedway (formerly Evergreen Raceway) opened over four decades ago. With a little research over the winter months, we set out to put an end to the rumors that the track was once dirt. With those rumors put to rest, we also found a small, but pretty neat little story and photos.

Many have mentioned that when Evergreen first opened, that it was dirt. FALSE! Look closely at the photos. There isn't any sign of dirt build up on any of the guardrail, fencing, or anything else. The photos were taken shortly after the official building of the track. Next, as you can see, the surroundings still look the same as they do today. Okay, so at one time the stands were on the back hill, but they're back where they were originally. Not anymore. Joe Callavini helped bring back the original setting and probably did not even realize it.

So, what's the little story? Well, in the 1950's the guy in the picture that owned the #21 was Gil Petroskie of Sunbury. He also owned a general car carrier. He would meet other drivers from the Sunbury area in Shamokin Dam and they would load their cars onto his carrier. He charged them $15 each and they would either go to Evergreen or the now defunct Silver Springs Raceway to run. Sounds like Gil had quite the thing going...

A little history now and then is great, especially when it comes to area tracks that are left. Over the past decade there were more shopping malls built than racetracks, I can assure you of that. Ya know what they say; buy a mall and either build a racetrack, or plant a cornfield. At least there would be a return on the investment!

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