Opening Day of 2026 PPB Motorsports Show Draws Big Crowd; Haley Gesullo crowned Ms. Motorsports 2026
Story By: LEN SAMMONS MEDIA / PPB MOTORSPORTS SHOW – OAKS, PA – Thousands of passionate racers and fans interacted with hundreds of exhibitors across the world of motorsports Friday during the opening day of the Pioneer Pole Buildings Race Car & Trade Show inside the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center.
Haley Gesullo, 29, of Elverson, Pennsylvania, was crowned Aqua Duck Water Transport Ms. Motorsports 2026 in a field of 19 contestants. She earned $2,500 and a $1,000 poster deal. Makayla Kohler, Ms. Motorsports 2025, crowned her successor.
Paige McCabe, 25, of Duncansville, Pennsylvania, was first runner-up, pocketing $500. Tiffany Hitzler, 28, of Jonestown, Pennsylvania, walked out with $250 for being second runner-up, while also raking in an extra $1,000 for winning the Fan Vote Swimsuit contest.
NASCAR and Northeastern Modified legend Geoff Bodine was “in the house” Friday to sign autographs, mingle with fans and share memories of his career in front of a packed Motorsports Show Stage Hall. A Dick Armstrong-owned No. 1 that Bodine drove to 55 wins in 1978 was on display in a special tribute area along with other No. 99 Modifieds he drove.
Northeastern Dirt Modified Hall of Famer Kenny Brightbill was also in the building to sign autographs and take photos with fans.
Matt Hirschman, who won a region-leading 16 races in his Asphalt Modified last year, and Mat Williamson, who wheeled his Dirt Modified to 34 victories in 2025, saw their outstanding seasons recognized on stage. Both drivers signed autographs throughout the day.
Other activities that took place throughout the day, included an engine teardown competition with The Hot Rodders of Tomorrow from the York County School of Technology. Each hour, students competed to see who could disassemble and reassemble a Chevy 350 engine the fastest using only a few hand tools.
American Racer Tire and Vahlco Wheels sponsored a tire change competition in which two person teams changed right side tires on a Northeast Dirt Modified. The top ten fastest pairs from Friday will compete in Saturday’s final for a chance to win $500.
