3,400 Show Cars, Celebrities To Converge At Fords At Carlisle

The 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals bring the Carlisle, Pennsylvania, Fairgrounds to life June 5-7 and while there will be well over 3,400 show cars on the National Parts Depot Showfield, there will also be at least a half a dozen, if not more, special guests for showgoers to mix and mingle with. These guests touch on various aspects of industry, from racers, social media personalities, and designers, actors to authors, and more, each guest interaction is free with admission to the event

Of course, with 3,400 show cars, a car corral, historic Ford vehicles, thousands of vendor spots, and tens of thousands of Mustang and Ford enthusiasts converging in one place, this is a must-do event for Blue Oval fanatics from all over the country. There will also be an automotive flea market and Manufacturers Midway.

The promoters have put together all kinds of special events, including a Celebration of 60 Years of the Ford Bronco, 50 Years of Roush Performance, and the 50th anniversary of the Starsky & Hutch Torino. 

The Roush display traces Jack Roush’s remarkable journey from grassroots racing engineer to global motorsports and performance brand kingpin. Planned are a mix of competition cars, engineering prototypes and limited-edition Roush Mustangs and F-150s.

The Bronco showcase will feature early-generation models, including survivors, restored classics and specialty editions. Examples from every production year will be present, both indoors and out, as well as modern interpretations. There will even be a Bronco parade on Friday.

Here are the celebrities who will be in attendance: 

Ben Hobson – Formula Drift Pro Driver

Ben Hobson returns to the Carlisle Ford Nationals in 2026 with RTR Vehicles and Team RTR, bringing his high-powered Ford Mustang RTR Spec 5-D to town for an action-packed weekend. Fans can see Ben and his RTR Mustang in action on the track, and meet him during autograph sessions at the RTR Midway Display on Friday and Saturday. Plus, Ben and Team RTR will kick off the rolling burnout and donut contest. If you’re a fan of modern performance and drifting excitement, this is a guest appearance you won’t want to miss.

Antonio Fargas – Actor/Starsky & Hutch

TV actor Antonio Fargas, best known as Huggy Bear from the original Starsky & Hutch series, joins the Carlisle Ford Nationals this June to celebrate 50 years of the iconic Starsky & Hutch Ford Torino. Fargas will appear throughout the weekend in Building T alongside select screen-used TV and movie Torinos. Fargas will offer autographs, photos, and meet-and-greet moments. A fan favorite in Carlisle from his 2016 visit, Antonio’s return is a must-see/must-do for TV and automotive enthusiasts alike.

Carl Widmann – Ford Racing Production Vehicles Chief Engineer

Carl Widmann returns for another exciting weekend at Carlisle. A familiar face at the event dating back to his time as Mustang Chief Engineer for the S550 program, Widmann will be on-site Friday and Saturday to talk all things Ford Performance and answer fan questions about the latest high-performance vehicles. He’ll also take part in special walk-arounds featuring the all-new Ford Mustang Dark Horse SC at the stage each afternoon around 3 p.m.

Arie Groeneveld – Ford Racing Chief Program Engineer

Arie Groeneveld comes to Carlisle to share insights into the development of some of Ford’s most exciting performance vehicles, including the Mustang Dark Horse SC. With 30 years at Ford, Arie has played key roles in programs ranging from the Bronco Raptor and Police Interceptors to Lincoln luxury vehicles and Super Duty trucks. His recent work testing alongside the Mustang GTD and GT3 race cars at tracks like Sebring and VIR helped shape the success of the Dark Horse SC. Fans can meet and hear from Ari throughout the weekend alongside Widmann as they offer for special presentations focused on Ford’s latest high-performance Mustang.

Steve Saleen – Motorsports Hall of Famer

Automotive icon and Hall of Famer Steve Saleen returns in 2026. Founder of Saleen Autosport and creator of the legendary Saleen Mustang, Saleen helped redefine modern American performance through racing success, engineering innovation, and decades of Mustang development. Inducted into the Mustang Hall of Fame alongside Carroll Shelby, his impact on Ford performance culture remains unmatched. Fans attending Carlisle will have opportunities to meet Steve, hear stories from his remarkable career, and participate in autograph sessions, vehicle signings, and more.

Al Joniec – Legendary Ford Racer

Al Joniec joins the Carlisle Ford Nationals and brings decades of drag racing and road racing history with him. Known for his work with Ford’s drag racing teams, Joniec also played a key role in SCCA competition as the Engine and Car Chief for the most successful Shelby Cobra in history. During the weekend, Al will host special presentations on “The Last Winning Cobra,” detailing the story behind the 1973 SCCA National Championship-winning 427 Shelby Cobra. Fans can also meet Al in the Team Shelby tent on the NPD Showfield alongside renowned automotive author Charlie Morris. Joniec is a true icon of the sport, a gentleman, and loves talking about Ford racing history.

Charlie Morris – Automotive Author

Noted Ford author Charlie Morris has penned numerous Ford titles throughout the years including a book on the Ford Drag Team, Al Joniec’s career, Mercury Drag Racing, and many more titles. Charlie will be hosting a seminar on the Ford Drag Team on Friday and Saturday in the Hospitality Tent.  Charlie will also be joining Al Joniec in the Team Shelby Club Tent during the weekend for meet and greet opportunities.

Camilo Pardo – 2005 Ford GT Designer

Legendary designer Camilo Pardo rolls into Carlisle for an exciting weekend of stories and fun. Best known as the designer behind the iconic 2005-2006 Ford GT and the original 2002 concept car, Pardo helped create one of the most celebrated supercars in modern automotive history. Fans can meet Camilo in the Team Shelby tent throughout the weekend, view his automotive artwork, attend autograph sessions on Friday and Saturday, and catch the unveiling of a brand-new project during a special Friday stage presentation.

“REVan” Evan Smith – Automotive Journalist/YouTube Personality

Automotive journalist and YouTube personality “REVan” Evan Smith joins the Carlisle Ford Nationals to capture the cars, people, and stories that make Ford weekend special. Known by longtime enthusiasts as the former editor of Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords magazine, Evan will be roaming the grounds in search of standout vehicles, unique builds, and passionate owners for his REVan Evan YouTube channel. Fords on the show field could even become part of his Carlisle Ford Nationals video series.

Todd Zuercher – Bronco Author/Historian

Todd Zuercher joins the Carlisle Ford Nationals as part of the Bronco 60th Anniversary Celebration. Best known for his book Ford Bronco: A History of Ford’s Legendary 4×4, Todd combines decades of Bronco ownership, off-road adventure, and historical research into one unforgettable guest experience. Meet Todd throughout the weekend in and around Building T, purchase signed copies of his book, and celebrate six decades of Bronco heritage with a true enthusiast and expert.