The 2023 Goodguys autocross season came to a dramatic finale, at the 26th Speedway Motors Goodguys Southwest Nationals, during the November 17-19 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 three of the five class shootouts plus the coveted King of the Desert title.
The class shootouts started with the Pro-X class, where for the third year in a row, brothers Josh and Jared Leisinger battled it out, both driving Summit Racing-sponsored 1964 Chevrolet Corvettes on Forgeline one piece forged monoblock GS1R wheels. In a close battle reminiscent of the 2021 and 2022 shootouts, Jared bested Josh for the Pro-X class win, leaving Josh to take the runner-up spot.
In the Pro class, Eric Sheely backed up his 2022 championship, winning again in 2023 with his 1972 Chevrolet Corvette (a former Ridetech 48 Hour build) on Forgeline forged three piece GA3R wheels.
In the Sports Car class (comprised of vehicle model years 1988-1997), Ryan Mathews also repeated his 2022 championship, winning again in 2023 with 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. In the final round, Jared Leisinger (who had already clocked the fastest lap of the weekend) faced off against Robby Unser in the Team Speedway 1970 Chevrolet Camaro. Jared had narrowly lost the 2022 shootout to his brother, Josh, but this time, Jared won out over Robby Unser and earned the 2023 King of the Desert title.
Several Forgeline-equipped drivers also capped off 2023 season points championships, including Sports Car Class points champion Valerie Pichette in her 1988 Pontiac Firebird on Forgeline forged three piece GW3R wheels, Pro Class points champion Chris Smith in his 1970 Chevrolet Camaro on Forgeline forged three piece AL305 wheels, and Pro-X Class points champion Josh Leisinger in his 1964 Corvette on Forgeline one piece forged monoblock GS1R wheels.
Congrats to all of the 2023 Duel in the Desert champions!
2023 King of the Desert: Jared Leisinger, 1964 Corvette on Forgeline one piece forged monoblock GS1R wheels
2023 Duel in the Desert Pro-X Class Champion: Jared Leisinger, 1964 Corvette on Forgeline one piece forged monoblock GS1R wheels
2023 Duel in the Desert Pro Class Champion: Eric Sheely, 1972 Corvette on Forgeline forged three piece GA3R wheels
2023 Duel in the Desert Sports Car Class Champion: Ryan Mathews, 1991 Chevrolet Corvette on Forgeline one piece forged monoblock CF1 Open Lug wheels
2023 Autocross Season Sports Car Class Points Champion: Valerie Pichette, 1988 Pontiac Firebird on Forgeline forged three piece GW3R wheels
2023 Autocross Season Pro Class Points Champion: Chris Smith, 1970 Chevrolet Camaro on Forgeline forged three piece AL305 wheels
2023 Autocross Season Pro-X Class Points Champion: Josh Leisinger, 1964 Corvette on Forgeline one piece forged monoblock GS1R wheels