Our Most Coveted Awards

Our Most Coveted Awards
The Annual Top 12
About The Goodguys
TOP 12
Every year, Goodguys recognizes 12 of the nation’s finest show cars and trucks, and the best Autocrosser. These are known as the “Top 12 Awards.”
Winners are recognized throughout the Goodguys Event Season leading up to the final selection and showcase of the “Goodguys Top 12 of the Year Awards” at the Southwest Nationals in Scottsdale, AZ in November. All Top 12 winners are invited to attend the final awards ceremony, receive; “Showcase Parking,” special prizes from our sponsors, the coveted of-the-year award trophy at the event and are featured in the Goodguys Goodtimes Gazette and Yearbook!
How To Enter
There are two categories within the Top 12 Awards: "Event-Specific" and "Regional".
Event Specific Awards
Event Specific Awards include 6 award categories selected at six specific events throughout the year. These awards and events include:
- Street Rod D' Elegance presented by Meguiar's selected at Goodguys 22nd Meguiar’s Del Mar Nationals, March 31 - April 2, 2023, Del Mar, CA
- Hot Rod Of The Year presented by Tanks Inc. selected at Goodguys 17th BASF Nashville Nationals, May 19-21, 2023, Lebanon, TN
- Street Rod Of The Year presented by Classic Instruments selected at Goodguys 25th Summit Racing Nationals presented by PPG, July 7-9, 2023, Columbus, OH
- Street Machine Of The Year presented by PPG selected at Goodguys 25th Summit Racing Nationals presented by PPG, July 7-9, 2023, Columbus, OH
- America's Most Beautiful presented by BASF selected at Goodguys 30th Summit Racing Lone Star Nationals presented by BASF - September 29-October 1 Fort Worth, TX
- King Of The Desert presented by Classic Performance Products selected at Goodguys 26th Speedway Motors Southwest Nationals (Featuring the "Duel in the Desert" AutoCross Shootout), November 17-19, 2023, Scottsdale, AZ
The selection committee for these awards are made up of industry experts and Goodguys staff members. Each member of the selection committee places their picks in order of preference. The first choice will receive five points, second choice four points and so on. The winner is then determined by whoever receives the most total points.
Regional Awards
Regional Awards include 6 award categories, where "finalists" are selected at a series of events. Finalists are then voted on by a committee and the winners announced on October 6, 2023.
- Custom of The Year, presented by Fuel Curve
- Custom Rod Of The Year, presented by Vintage Air
- Muscle Car Of The Year, presented by Snap-On
- Muscle Machine Of The Year, presented by Griot's Garage
- Truck Of The Year Early (thru 1959), presented by Scott's Hotrods 'N Customs
- Truck Of The Year Late (1960-1998), presented by Dakota Digital
These awards will be selected by using the regional "finalist" method. These awards will be selected by the Goodguys staff from a group of finalists chosen from various events in different regions of the U.S. This method benefits participants from all regions of the country – east to west, north to south – instead of limiting the award to a certain region and certain event. Each Top 12 award and how its winner is selected are explained in detail below.
Event Specific "Top 12" Awards
Presented By SnapOn / RaceDeck
2023 STREET ROD D' ELEGANCE
Eligibility: Street rods through 1948 vintage.
Basic Criteria: This award is designed to honor a gorgeous, elegant street rod.
How to Enter: You must have your street rod entered in the indoor car show at the 22nd Del Mar Nationals. Finalists will be selected from the indoor car show only. Show us what you’re bringing! Use #GGSRDE23 on Instagram to get your ride on our radar!
Selected at: Goodguys 22nd Meguiar’s Del Mar Nationals, March 31 - April 2, Del Mar, CA

2023 Winner - Lori Mabe's 1934 Plymouth PE Deluxe Sedan| Built by Roseville Rod & Custom
2023 HOT ROD OF THE YEAR
Eligibility: Hot Rods 1948 and earlier.
Basic Criteria: It makes noise; it’s regularly street-driven, has a mean attitude and screams the words “Hot Rod.” No cream puffs! No Trailer Queens, Hot Rods must have a minimum of 500 miles on the odometer before arriving to the event.
How to Enter: Friday, May 19th 9AM Sharp on pit road at Nashville Superspeedway. Show us what you’re bringing! Use #GGHROTY23 on Instagram to get your ride on our radar!
Selected at: Goodguys 17th BASF Nashville Nationals – May 19-21, Lebanon, TN

2023 Winner - Coby Gewertz's 1934 Ford Coupe | Built by South City Rod & Custom
2023 STREET ROD OF THE YEAR
Eligibility: Street rods through 1948 vintage
Basic Criteria: This award is designed for a true modern masterpiece. Quality of craftsmanship, body and paint, overall engineering, the three F’s (fit, form and functionality) stance and overall creativity in design and concept is what the selection committee will seek.
How to Enter: All award candidates must park in the Cardinal lot Friday, July 7th by 10am at the Ohio Expo Center to be eligible for Street Rod of the Year award. Contenders will park inside the Celeste Bldg. Friday & Saturday. Show us what you’re bringing! Use #GGSROTY23 on Instagram to get your ride on our radar!
Selected at: Goodguys 25th Summit Racing Nationals, presented by PPG, July 7-9, Columbus, OH

2022 Winner - Jeff Breault’s 1934 Chevy Roadster | Built by Devlin Rod and Customs
2023 STREET MACHINE OF THE YEAR
Eligibility: Street machines 1954 through 1998 vintage
Basic Criteria: This award is designed for a cutting-edge Street Machine which combines masterful build quality with extreme performance. Quality of craftsmanship, body & paint, overall engineering, the three F’s (fit, form and functionality) stance and overall creativity in design and concept is what the selection committee will seek.
How to Enter: All award candidates must park in the Cardinal lot Friday, July 7th by 10am and participate in a two-lap Goodguys AutoCross Friday afternoon at the Ohio Expo Center. AutoCross lap times will not determine the overall winner, but style points do count! Contenders will park inside the Celeste Bldg. Friday & Saturday. Show us what you’re bringing! Use #GGSMOTY23 on Instagram to get your ride on our radar!
Selected at: Goodguys 25th Summit Racing Nationals, presented by PPG, July 7-9, Columbus, OH

2022 Winner - Brad Sather's 1969 Pontiac Firebird | Built by BBT Fabrications
2023 AMERICA’S MOST BEAUTIFUL
Eligibility: Street Rods, Hot Rods, Trick Trucks, Street Machines, Customs, Custom Rods and Muscle Cars through 1998 vintage.
Basic Criteria: This is simply a beauty contest. The most beautiful will be chosen.
How to Enter: All candidates must park in the “Builders Choice” Parking Area Saturday, September 30th from 7am-Noon. Finalists will be chosen from this area only. Show us what you’re bringing! Use #GGAMB23 on Instagram to get your ride on our radar!
Selected at: 30th Summit Racing Lone Star Nationals – September 29-October 1

2022 Winner - Amie Angelo's 1940 Chevy Suburban | Built by Roseville Rod & Custom
KING OF THE DESERT
Eligibility: This prestigious award goes to the 2023 winner of the fastest 16 car “King of the Desert” shootout season finale.
King of the Desert and car must be present Sunday at the Speedway Motors Southwest Nationals to accept the award; if the racer cannot be present it will go to the racer with the next fastest time from the 16 car shootout. The winning car will go from the Autocross to Meguiar's “Top 12” Of-the-Year display as the final award winning car.
Criteria: Must compete in a minimum of three event shootouts during the 2023 season, not including the Duel in the Desert Shootout. The “King of the Desert” shootout will be a multi-lap, elimination format with the fastest time advancing on to the next round. The 16-car elimination Ladder will be set by random draw. One car and driver will be crowned “King of the Desert.”How to Enter: Must compete in a minimum of three event shootouts with the same car that qualifies for the Duel in the Desert during the 2023 season (not including: Sponsor Shootout, Duel in the Desert Shootout or All-American Sunday Shootouts); must be one of the 16 cars racing in the “King of the Desert” Shootout held Saturday, November 18th during the Goodguys 25th Speedway Motors Southwest Nationals @ Westworld in Scottsdale.
Selected at: Goodguys 26th Southwest Nationals, presented by Classic Performance Products, November 17-19, Scottsdale, AZ
2022 Winner - Bill Graves Sr.'s 1963 Chevy Corvette | Homebuilt by owner
Regional "Top 12" Awards
CUSTOM OF THE YEAR
Eligibility: Custom vehicles 1936 through 1965 vintage.
Basic Criteria: This award is designed to honor an exceptional traditional custom vehicle.
How to Enter: Attend any of the events listed below in your traditional custom, park in the Builder’s Choice or Indoor display area (where applicable) and you'll have a chance to be selected as a finalist! One finalist will be chosen from each of the events listed.
Winner Announced Friday, October 6th, 2023 based on a finalist selected at each of these qualifying events.
2023 Qualifying Events:
- 13th FiTech Fuel Injection Spring Nationals presented by Grundy Insurance - March 17-19
- 39th Grundy Insurance All American Get-Together, March 25 & 26, Pleasanton, CA
- 22nd Meguiar’s Del Mar Nationals – March 31 April 1-2
- 8th Griot’s Garage North Carolina Nationals - April 21-23
- 17th BASF Nashville Nationals - May 19-21
- 32nd Speedway Motors Heartland Nationals presented by BASF – June 30 July 1-2
- 36th West Coast Nationals - August 25-27
- 25th Summit Racing Nationals presented by PPG - July 7-9
- 35th Griot’s Garage Pacific Northwest Nationals - July 28-30
Current Qualifiers:

2023 Spring Nationals
Randy & Coleen McDaniel | 1951 Mercury

2023 North Carolina Nationals
Brian Metcalf | 1939 Mercury

2023 All American Get Together
Jesse Orosco | 1956 Chevy Bel Air

2023 Del Mar Nationals
Johnny Rundle | 1949 Mercury

2022 Winner - Dan Duffy's 1961 Impala Bubble Top "Dirty Martini" | Built by Big Oak Garage
CUSTOM ROD OF THE YEAR
Eligibility: Custom rods 1949 through 1972 vintage.
Basic Criteria: A custom rod is defined as a custom car that tastefully blends customizing techniques or factory stock bodies with modern day performance, engineering, components, and styling.
How to Enter: Attend any of the events listed below in your custom rod, park in the Builder’s Choice or Indoor display area (where applicable) and you'll have a chance to be selected as a finalist! One finalist will be chosen from each of the seven events listed.
Winner Announced Friday, October 6th, 2023 based on a finalist selected at each of these qualifying events.
2023 Qualifying Events:
- 13th LMC Truck Spring Lone Star Nationals presented by TREMEC - March 10-12
- 13th FiTech Fuel Injection Spring Nationals presented by Grundy Insurance - March 17-19
- 22nd Meguiar’s Del Mar Nationals – March 31 April 1-2
- 8th Griot’s Garage North Carolina Nationals - April 21-23
- 17th BASF Nashville Nationals - May 19-21
- 32nd Speedway Motors Heartland Nationals presented by BASF – June 30 July 1-2
- 35th Griot’s Garage Pacific Northwest Nationals - July 28-30
- 36th West Coast Nationals - August 25-27
- 25th Grundy Insurance Colorado Nationals presented by Griot’s Garage - September 8-10
Current Qualifiers:

2023 Spring Lone Star Nationals
Darren & Andrea Gartell | 1955 Chevy 210

2023 North Carolina Nationals
John Flowers | 1962 Bel Air

2023 Spring Nationals
Butch Yamali | 1965 Buick Riviera

2023 Del Mar Nationals
George Eliacostas | 1960 Buick Invicta

2022 Winner - David Biegler's 1964 Buick Riviera | Built by Cruzer's Customs
MUSCLE CAR OF THE YEAR
Eligibility: Muscle Cars of all makes 1960 through 1987.
Basic Criteria: Designed to honor an original factory stock or original fully restored Muscle Car of superb quality.
How to Enter: Park in the Mighty Muscle Special Parking area or Indoor display (where applicable) at any Goodguys 2023 events listed below.
Winner Announced Friday, October 6th, 2023 based on a finalist selected at each of these qualifying events.
2022 Qualifying Events:
- 25th Speedway Motors Southwest Nationals, November 18-20, Scottsdale, AZ
2023 Qualifying Events:
- 13th LMC Truck Spring Lone Star Nationals presented by TREMEC - March 10-12
- 13th FiTech Fuel Injection Spring Nationals presented by Grundy Insurance - March 17-19
- 22nd Meguiar’s Del Mar Nationals – March 31 April 1-2
- 8th Griot’s Garage North Carolina Nationals - April 21-23
- 17th BASF Nashville Nationals - May 19-21
- 32nd Speedway Motors Heartland Nationals presented by BASF – June 30 July 1-2
- 25th Summit Racing Nationals presented by PPG - July 7-9
- 35th Griot’s Garage Pacific Northwest Nationals - July 28-30
- 36th West Coast Nationals - August 25-27
- 25th Grundy Insurance Colorado Nationals presented by Griot’s Garage - September 8-10
- 30th Summit Racing Lone Star Nationals presented by BASF - September 29 October 1
- *26th Speedway Motors Southwest Nationals - November 17-19
*This event finalist in 2023 rolls over to 2024 running
Current Qualifiers:

2022 Southwest Nationals
Kevin Dewitte | 1967 Camaro

2023 Del Mar Nationals
Bob Matranga | 1970 Chevelle SS 454

2023 Spring Lone Star Nationals
Johnny Stocklin | 1970 Plymouth Superbird

2023 North Carolina Nationals
David & Starlette Cyru | 1966 Chevelle SS

2023 Spring Nationals
Jim Bazuik | 1969 SS Chevelle

2022 Winner - Roger Gaultney's 1969 1/2 Plymouth Road Runner | Restored by Superior Auto Works
MUSCLE MACHINE OF THE YEAR
Eligibility: Muscle Machines 1960 through 1998 vintage
Basic Criteria: A Muscle Machine is defined by Goodguys as a muscle car that has been modified to perform at a high-level including handling, stance, engineering, and body and paint
How to Enter: Attend one of the events listed above and park in the AutoCross pit area Saturday between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. You must also run at least three laps in the Goodguys AutoCross. Lap times will not determine the overall winner, but style points do count! Only cars parked in the AutoCross pit area and cars that have completed the three-lap AutoCross minimum will be eligible for this award.
Winner Announced Friday, October 6th, 2023 based on a finalist selected at each of these qualifying events.
2023 Qualifying Events:
- 13th FiTech Fuel Injection Spring Nationals presented by Grundy Insurance - March 17-19
- 22nd Meguiar’s Del Mar Nationals – March 31 April 1-2
- 17th BASF Nashville Nationals - May 19-21
- 32nd Speedway Motors Heartland Nationals presented by BASF – June 30 July 1-2
- 36th West Coast Nationals - August 25-27
- 25th Grundy Insurance Colorado Nationals presented by Griot’s Garage - September 8-10
- 30th Summit Racing Lone Star Nationals presented by BASF - September 29- October 1
Current Qualifiers:

2023 Spring Nationals
Ron Brown | 1971 Pontiac Firebird

2023 Del Mar Nationals
Kevin Hart | 1966 Chevelle

2022 Winner - Kevin Hart's 1969 Plymouth Road Runner | Built by Salvaggio Designs
TRUCK OF THE YEAR - EARLY (through ‘59)
Eligibility: Trucks through 1959 vintage
Basic Criteria: This award is designed to honor an outstanding pre-’60 tricked-out truck.
How to Enter: Attend any of the eight events listed above and park in the LMC Trick Truck Corral, the Builder’s Choice or Indoor display area (where applicable) to have a chance to be selected as a finalist!
Winner Announced Friday, October 6th, 2023 based on a finalist selected at each of these qualifying events.
2022 Qualifying Events:
- 32nd Autumn Get-Together, November 12 & 13, Pleasanton, CA
2023 Qualifying Events:
- 13th LMC Truck Spring Lone Star Nationals presented by TREMEC - March 10-12
- 22nd Meguiar’s Del Mar Nationals – March 31 April 1-2
- 8th Griot’s Garage North Carolina Nationals - April 21-23
- 17th BASF Nashville Nationals - May 19-21
- 32nd Speedway Motors Heartland Nationals presented by BASF -June 30 July 1-2
- 35th Griot’s Garage Pacific Northwest Nationals - July 28-30
- 36th West Coast Nationals - August 25-27
- 25th Grundy Insurance Colorado Nationals presented by Griot’s Garage - September 8-10
- 30th Summit Racing Lone Star Nationals presented by BASF - September 29-October 1
- *33rd Fuel Curve Autumn Get-Together - November 11 & 12
*This event finalist in 2023 rolls over to 2024 running
Current Qualifiers:

2022 Autumn Get-Together
Rick Howell | 1956 Ford F100

2023 North Carolina Nationals
Bob Gahagan | 1956 Ford F100

2023 Spring Lone Star Nationals
Killer Hot Rods | 1953 Chevy 3100

2023 Del Mar Nationals
Greg Tidwel | 1940 Ford

2022 Winner - Alex Short's 1958 Ford F100 | Built by Revision Rods & Rides
TRUCK OF THE YEAR - LATE (’60 through ‘98)
Eligibility: Trick trucks 1960 through 1998
Basic Criteria: This award is designed to honor an outstanding ’60 through ’97 vintage tricked-out truck.
How to Enter: Attend any of the events listed above and park in the LMC Trick Truck corral, the Builder’s Choice or Indoor display area (where applicable) to have a chance to be selected as a finalist!
Winner Announced Friday, October 6th, 2023 based on a finalist selected at each of these qualifying events.
2022 Qualifying Events:
- 32nd Autumn Get-Together, November 12 & 13, Pleasanton, CA
2023 Qualifying Events:
- 13th LMC Truck Spring Lone Star Nationals presented by TREMEC - March 10-12
- 22nd Meguiar’s Del Mar Nationals – March 31 April 1-2
- 8th Griot’s Garage North Carolina Nationals - April 21-23
- 17th BASF Nashville Nationals - May 19-21
- 32nd Speedway Motors Heartland Nationals presented by BASF -June 30 July 1-2
- 25th Summit Racing Nationals presented by PPG - July 7-9
- 36th West Coast Nationals - August 25-27
- 30th Summit Racing Lone Star Nationals - September 29-October 1
- *33rd Fuel Curve Autumn Get-Together - November 11 & 12
- *26th Speedway Motors Southwest Nationals - November 17-19
*This event finalist in 2023 rolls over to 2024 running
Current Qualifiers:

2022 Autumn Get-Together
Brett Haskins | 1995 Chevy C1500

2023 North Carolina Nationals
Josh Bentley | 1983 Chevy C10

2023 Spring Lone Star Nationals
Bob & Kelly Ward | 1967 Chevy C10 Dual Cab

2023 Spring Nationals
Howard Kendrick | 1966 Chevy C10

2022 Winner - Mark Sandfort's 1965 Chevy C10 | Built by South City Rod and Custom