The 2022 Goodguys autocross season came to a dramatic finale, at the 25th Speedway Motors Goodguys Southwest Nationals, during the November 18-20 weekend, in Scottsdale, Arizona. The famed Duel in the Desert shootout brought some of the best autocrossers from across the country for a head-to-head elimination style shootout among 80 cars and 5 classes. By the completion of the weekend, Forgeline customers had dominated the competition, winning four of the five class shootouts plus the coveted King of the Desert shootout.
The class shootouts started with the Pro-X class, where the final faced off two brothers, Josh and Jared Leisinger, both driving Summit Racing-sponsored 1964 Chevrolet Corvettes on Forgeline one piece forged monoblock GS1R wheels. In a close battle reminiscent of the 2021 shootout, Jared ended up beating Josh for the Pro-X class win.
In the Pro class, Chris Smith (builder of the famous Forgeline FN Camaro) came into the shootout with the fastest qualifying time, with his 1970 Chevrolet Camaro on Forgeline forged three piece GA3R wheels. But in a rare weekend upset, he was beaten in the final race of the Pro class shootout by Eric Sheely, in his 1972 Chevrolet Corvette (a former Ridetech 48 Hour build) also on Forgeline forged three piece GA3R wheels.
In the Forgeline-sponsored Street Machine class, Bill Graves not only set the fastest qualifying time but also won the class shootout, in his 1966 Chevrolet Corvette on Forgeline forged three piece GA3R wheels. Bill also won the 2022 AutoCrosser of the Year title, earning the most combined points throughout the entire 2022 racing season.
In the Sports Car class (comprised of vehicle model years 1988-1997), Ryan Mathews set the fastest qualifying time and won the class shootout, setting his fastest time of the weekend on his final run, driving his 1991 Chevrolet Corvette on Forgeline one piece forged monoblock CF1 Open Lug wheels.
Once the class battles were settled, then the top 8 fastest drivers faced off again for the King of the Desert shootout and another exciting finish between the two Leisinger brothers and their C2 Corvettes. Jared had already beaten Josh to win the Pro-X class shootout, but Josh ended up narrowly defeating Jared for the King of the Desert title, besting Jared by just 0.052 seconds!
Congrats to all of the 2022 Duel in the Desert champions!
King of the Desert: Josh Leisinger, 1964 Corvette on Forgeline one piece forged monoblock GS1R wheels
Pro-X Class Champion: Jared Leisinger, 1964 Corvette on Forgeline one piece forged monoblock GS1R wheels
Pro Class Champion: Eric Sheely, 1972 Corvette on Forgeline forged three piece GA3R wheels
Street Machine Class Champion/Autocrosser of the Year: Bill Graves, 1966 Corvette on Forgeline forged three piece GA3R wheels
Sports Car Class Champion: Ryan Mathews, 1991 Chevrolet Corvette on Forgeline one piece forged monoblock CF1 Open Lug wheels
2022 King of the Desert Josh Leisinger in his 1964 Chevrolet Corvette on Forgeline one piece forged monoblock GS1R wheels
2022 Pro-X champion Jared Leisinger in his 1964 Chevrolet Corvette on Forgeline one piece forged monoblock GS1R wheels
2022 Pro class top qualifier Chris Smith in his 1970 Chevrolet Camaro on Forgeline forged three piece GA3R wheels
2022 Pro champion Eric Sheely in his 1972 Chevrolet Corvette on Forgeline forged three piece GA3R wheels
2022 Street Machine champion/Autocrosser of the Year Bill Graves in his 1966 Chevrolet Corvette on Forgeline forged three piece GA3R wheels
2022 Sports Car champion Ryan Mathews in his 1991 Chevrolet Corvette on Forgeline one piece forged monoblock CF1 Open Lug wheels
2022 Duel in the Desert Shootout Competitors