1/2/2026
BAPS Motor Speedway
New Year's Eve Record Numbers
YORK HAVEN, Pa.: BAPS Motor Speedway held the 2nd Annual John Krall’s New Years Eve event this past weekend, and the community came out in record numbers.
Nearly 600 people attended the event with fans and neighbors participating in a fun-filled evening that included corn hole, fire pits, Ashburn’s Petting Zoo, and the popular Chili Cook Off.
A record number of 11 contestants from all over the area competed to make the best chili possible for the judges and the People's Choice Award. This year's winner was Mariah Bubb, who became the first person to win the $500 Chili Championship and the People's Choice award, as well.
“We are very excited that this event is continuing to grow each year,” Speedway General Manager Kolten Gouse said. “The weather really cooperated with us this year and allowed a lot of our fans and sponsors at the track to come out and enjoy this.
“But this event wasn’t just for race fans. It’s an event that allows people in the surrounding community to gather and have a good time in a family atmosphere. The participation has been great, and we hope to continue to expand this event in the future.”
Here’s what they're saying about this event:
Ashley Scene (Resident from Etters PA): My family was looking for something to do for New Year’s Eve, and we decided to come to tonight's event. We have never been to the speedway before, and the staff and people were very friendly in directing us around. We are looking forward to coming to a race.
Zach Barnes (Race Fan from Mechanicsburg): Came to a racetrack, and a Chili Cook Off Broke out. We attended the Sprint Car races with my parents, and this is the first year we attended this New Years Eve event. We had a great time, and we will be back next year.
Tylor Heller (Race Fan From Hanover PA): Amazing Event y’all!!! Love seeing a track as involved as y’all, even if it's something like this!
Donnie Reeser (Reeser Ice Cream from Lewisberry PA): “My dad and I were both blown away at our New Year’s Eve visit to BAPS. We really regretted missing last year’s event, and we were excited to make it this year. The Chili Cook Off was very well run, and it was an amazing opportunity to meet other competitors as well as talk to folks that stopped out to try the chili. It was impressive to see how many things there were for kids and families to do. It was cold out, but those little campfires all around were great spots to meet new people and catch up with folks who we hadn’t seen for a while. I had an absolute blast. I just wish more communities did this type of family-focused, wholesome event where not everything is so commercialized.”
Cameron Schwarz- (New Cumberland Pa): This is the coolest damn thing I've seen for New Years Eve.
Scott Spidle (Race Car Driver from etters): Racetracks are closing all the time and any time a racetrack goes above and beyond to put on events outside of racing, I love supporting it. I truly love what BAPS does by going above and beyond to put on events. I wish everyone else would do these events to get new fans into our sport.
Tim Spank (Race Fan from York): Our family loves participating in these events that BAPS puts on. This is our home track, and we started coming here two years ago weekly. They put on good races, and the staff is one of the best ones around the area. They make you feel like family when you attend these events.
Special thanks to all the volunteers who helped with the event. Big thanks to C&C Towing, Rock-It Pizza, Williams Custom Catering, Andrew Rucker, Sellers Tree Service, Podium Awards, Daniel Boone Ashburns Animals, Tom & Logan Rumsey and everyone else who supported this exciting event.
We hope everyone has a Happy New Year, and we look forward to seeing everyone in 2026!
For more information, please visit www.bapsmotorspeedway.com
Submitted By: Kolten Gouse
