Column By: TOM WENNER / RPW – OAKS, PA – Day one of the Pioneer Pole Buildings Motorsports Racecar & Trade Show is in the books. The Ms. Motorsports contest is one of the most fan popular and attended events all weekend at the show.
This years event was no different.
Kudos to Lenny Sammons and his staff for pulling off another outstanding Miss Motorsports event highlighting the entire Friday event schedule at the popular venue. The atmosphere created by the Miss Motorsport staff was outstanding.
The expanded seating area was well laid out. HD Video at 2 spots created plenty of fan vision for the event. If you were able to grab a seat prior to the 8pm start, vintage Bill Bush Racing Videos were showing racing action from the closed Penn National Speedway.
The crowd was treated to vintage racing action from the annual Lebanon Valley 100 run at Penn National in the early 90’s and won by Billy Pauch Sr. driving the Barker Bus #76.
As the clock neared the 8pm start, The DJ’s who provided sound and light support turned the building into an electric event. Kudos to the DJ team for creating an electric atmosphere for the fans and the contestants. The floor seating was at near capacity and it was standing room only all around the event stage. It appeared that everyone who was in the building decided to move into the stage area for the epic event to commence. MC for the event, Cowboy Paul Szmal hit the stage to wip the crowd into shape and prepare the event for kickoff.
The 2022 version of the Ms. Motorsports contested featured 9 beautiful women competing for the annual Area Auto Racing News title. The 2022 version of the Miss Motorsports Contest was sponsored by Aqua-Duck Water Transport. Aqua-Duck Water Transport is located in Orefield, PA.
Next up, A quick introduction of the panel of judges and former Miss Motorsports winners. A few former winners in attendance, Midi Miller, Jenn Micheal, Alyssa Sharman, and Taylor Fullin.
The contest has three main categories that the nine contestants will enter the stage and interact with the judges and fans at the event. The competition starts with a formal wear category allowing the contestants to introduce themselves to the judges and fans.
The second appearance is swimwear based and the final appearance is based on the contestants showing their photogenic skills. The contestants were each given special shirts to toss into the crowd during the formal piece as part of their exit from the stage.
This really turned the crowd crazy as the girls tossed the gifts into the crowded fan base.
After the 3 categories were completed the contest went into a fan cheering elimination Sportswear Showdown competition. The contestants were paired in groups of 3 and fans cheered for their favorite contestant as the judged announced the winner of each so “contest”.
- Winning Contest #1 – Becky Yerk
- Winning Contest #2 – Morgan Rochelle
- Winning Contest #3 – Emilee Mills
This brought the Sportswear Showdown to a final 3 contestants & a $500 Prize for the winner. The fans went crazy for all 3, But the final 2 contestants were so close that the judges called for a Runoff of Morgan Rochelle v. Emilee Mills. Emilee Mills scored the popular win and a $500 prize as the Sportswear Winner.
While the panel of judges collected all of the votes on the day, Paul and the exiting Ms. Motorsports, Andrea Cap spent some time reflecting on Andrea’s 2 year run as Miss Motorsports. Andrea thanked all of the fans for supporting her time as Miss Motorsports.
Andrea was a very active Miss Motorsports over her 2 year run visiting 37 race tracks across 14 states. One quote that she mentioned that brought a laugh to the crowd was that she was referred to as the Covid Queen.
All joking aside, The beautiful Andrea Cap supported the Ms. Motorsports role with amazing fashion & support of the sport, Thank You-Andrea. The Motorsports show did a great job capturing Andrea’s tenure with a video clip of her 2 memories as Miss Motorsports 2020-2021.
Now it was time for what everyone was waiting for. The formal award presentation:
- Miss Congeniality – Winner as voted on by the contestants – Erica Busby
- Interview Winner – Morgan Rochelle
- Photo Winner – Megan Williams
- Sportswear Winner – Emilee Mills
- Swimwear Winner – Morgan Rochelle
- First Runnerup – $250 Prize – Emilee Mills
- 2nd Runnerup – $500 Prize – Megan Williams
- Winner of the 2022 Area Auto Racing News Ms. Motorsports Contest – Morgan Rochelle
The Pioneer Pole Buildings Motorsports Racecar & Trade Show continues today. The show is open from 11am to 7pm. 250k square feet of nothing but racing, racing and more racing. Every form of racing is presented. Tracks, Race Car Builders, Apparel Manufacturers, Speed Equipment Parts and Suppliers, Race Fuel and Lubricants, Trailer Dealers, Safety Equipment, Publications, and so much more. If you are looking to get out of house this weekend and are a race fan – This show is a MUST see event. All of the new 2022 gear, track schedules, brand new race cars never seen before, Vintage and Historical Racing Displays are all at the PPB Motorsports Racecar and Trade Show.