Opening Day Of 2025 PPB Motorsports Show Draws Big Crowd; Makayla Kohler Crowned Ms. Motorsports 2025, NASCAR Cup Legends Ray Evernham, Bill Elliott Wow Fans On Stage; Women In Racing Tribute A Big Success; Exhibitors Report Brisk Friday Business
Oaks, PA (Jan. 24) – Thousands of enthused racers and fans interacted with hundreds of exhibitors from across the spectrum of motorsports on Friday, opening day of the Pioneer Pole Buildings Race Car & Trade Show inside the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA.
Makayla Kohler of Allentown, Pennsylvania was crowned Aqua Duck Water Transport Ms. Motorsports 2025, winning the prestigious crown over 21 other contestants. She earned $2,500. Megan Williams, Ms. Motorsports 2024, crowned her successor. Tiffany Hitzler was named first runner-up and collected $1,000 for winning the Fan Vote Swimsuit contest, and Maddie Dissinger finished second runner-up.
NASCAR Legend and Northeastern Modified long-time favorite Ray Evernham was “in the house” Friday to sign autographs, meet and greet fans, and sign copies of his new book, ‘Trophies and Scars’, which relates Evernham’s life story of a remarkably successful career and well-lived life in the sport. The Motorsports Show event celebrated Evernham’s 50th anniversary year in racing.
NASCAR Cup multi-time champion, Daytona 500 winner, Brickyard 400 winner, and perennial NASCAR Cup Most Popular Driver Bill Elliott made his first visit to the Motorsports Show in over a decade Friday, joining Evernham and IROC co-founder Jay Signore in an informal autograph session Friday afternoon followed by an on-stage discussion among the trio that enlightened the packed Motorsports Show Stage Hall.
Day one of a new-to-the-show attraction, the Engine Tear Down competition, featuring the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow from the York County (PA) School of Technology, amazed show goers with the precision and speed they demonstrated in disassembling – then reassembling – an engine – using only hand tools. The competition continues on Saturday, January 25, Day Two of the Show.
Also scheduled on Day Two are the popular Kids Big Wheels Races, a Tribute to the late Lynn Paxton, the Little Ms. Motorsports competition, a Tire Change competition sponsored by American Racer Tire and Vahlco Wheels, the ATQMRA awards banquet and rules meeting, and autograph sessions featuring top drivers all day long.
A special ‘Women In Racing’ Exhibit proved to be a popular attraction for the region’s female and male racing enthusiasts alike. Among those honored was Evernham’s wife, the former Erin Crocker, the one and only woman to win a World Of Outlaws Sprint A Main. The Show feature continues Saturday,
Motorsports Show Exhibitors reported brisk business. Jeff Behrent of Behrent’s Performance Center of Florida, New York was pleased. “I brought ten sales people with me all weekend and they were all busy all day,” Behrent shared. Rich Smith of Smith Fabrications in Kunkletown, PA spent all afternoon and early evening handing out schedules. “This show is more important to me this year because of some late schedule changes that have been made that have brought our Stage One Modifieds back to Hamlin Speedway,” Smith said. “This show is the perfect place to get the word out.”
Day Two of the 2024 PPB Motorsports Race Car & Trade Show begins at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 25, 2025.
