Cones and Corners – Gearing up for the 2026 Goodguys AutoCross Season
The 2026 Goodguys event season will be kicking off by the time you read this, and with it comes an all-new season of cone-dodging, corner-carving, tire-punishing track action with the Goodguys AutoCross Series. For nearly two decades, the Goodguys AutoCross Series has brought fast-paced action, tight competition, and a thrilling driver and spectator experience to Goodguys events across the country. The original goal was to get people out of their lawn chairs and provide a competitive race series that would demonstrate driver skill, industry innovation, and automotive excitement, and we’re convinced that the series still delivers on those objectives.
During each offseason, Goodguys evaluates the classes and rules and makes necessary adjustments to keep things exciting, fun, and fair. The goal with our seven competitive classes is to provide a place for all levels of drivers and vehicles, from first-time competitors to seasoned pros. With that in mind, the biggest change for 2026, which is based on racer requests, is a new Corvette class that takes the place of the former Sports Car class. This change will allow ’Vettes to compete on a level playing field, while returning the Forgeline Street Machine class to the realm of Camaros, Mustangs, Chevelles, and other muscle cars.
This article serves as a refresher for all the Goodguys AutoCross classes for 2026. It’s worth noting that Goodguys AutoCross is only open to vehicles with internal-combustion engines and that your Goodguys membership must be current. Also, all drivers must be at least 18 years old, have a valid driver’s license, and wear a DOT- or SFI-approved helmet. Goodguys will allow passenger ride-a-longs, including in timed laps, but not during Shootouts. Goodguys will also be diligent about reinforcing weight rules, so all vehicles will be weighed without the driver and issued a weight decal. Once you receive the decal, you are expected to stay within your weight class.
With that said, let’s settle in, buckle up, and review the general Goodguys AutoCross class rules and guidelines. For more details on all classes and rules, be sure to visit goodguysax.com. The 2026 season promises to be more engaging and exciting than ever, and we can’t wait to drop the checkered flag and go racing!
Speedtech Performance PRO-X Class
The Speedtech Performance PRO-X class remains the most aggressive class in the series and is designed for purpose-built competition machines and experienced drivers seeking to compete at the highest level.
2026 Speedtech Performance PRO-X Class Basics
- PRO-X class consists of vehicles weighing less than 3,200 lbs.
- Open to vehicles 1999 and older that represent a production car or truck
- Any commercially available 200 UTQG treadwear tire is legal
- Full tube chassis race cars run in PRO-X
- AWD vehicles race in PRO-X
Summit Racing PRO Class
The Summit Racing PRO class is aimed at serious performance vehicles and drivers, with weight and tire size limits providing the primary differences separating it from the Speedtech Performance PRO-X class.
2026 Summit Racing Equipment PRO Class Basics
- Open to 1999-and-older production-based vehicles
- All production vehicles will run a minimum weight of 3,200 lbs.
- Maximum front tire width is 315mm
Forgeline Street Machine Class
The Forgeline Street Machine class continues to be the most popular class and one of the most competitive in terms of participant numbers, with many competing cars being true dual-purpose street-and-track vehicles. The big change for 2026 will be that Corvettes previously racing in the Street Machine class will now move to the new Corvette class.
2026 Forgeline Street Machine Class Basics
- Open to 1999-and-older production cars
- Weight minimum of 3,200 lbs.
- Maximum front tire width is 285mm
Corvette Class
The biggest change for the 2026 season is the new Corvette class, which will replace the former Sports Car class. It will be the home for 1999-and-older Corvettes and will provide a more level competition field for these popular AutoCross machines.
2026 Corvette Class Basics
- Corvette vehicles must be 1999-or-older model production cars
- All production Corvettes will run a minimum weight of 3,200 lbs.
- Maximum front tire width is 315mm
No Limit Engineering Truck Class
Trucks make great AutoCross racers, and the No Limit Engineering Truck class has become a popular place to put hot haulers to the test. It’s always great to see the variety of vintage trucks, which ranges from ’50s haulers to ’90s-era OBS and S10 platforms.
2026 No Limit Engineering Truck Class Basics
- Truck must be 1999 and earlier and represent a production truck platform
- Weight minimum will be 3,400 lbs.
- Maximum front tire width of 315mm
- El Caminos and Rancheros will compete in PRO-X, PRO, SM, or CH
Challenger Class
The Challenger Class is a great jumping-off point for racers just getting started, developing track skills, or who want to just enjoy track time in a competitive environment. It attracts a diverse field that’s filled with relatable, street-driven cars.
2026 Challenger Class Basics
- Open to 1999-and-earlier model year cars
- Vehicles will run a minimum weight of 3,200 lbs.
- The Challenger class breakout rule states that if any of the top ten class competitors run 2-seconds on average faster than the average of the top 10 in the class after the first three runs, they will be moved up to another class
- Challenger class season points winner will move up to the next class the following season
All-American Class
We welcome 2000-and-later model vehicles to compete on Sundays at three-day National events and on both Saturday and Sunday at Pleasanton Get-Together events. It’s always cool to see later-model Corvettes, Camars, Mustangs, and other vehicles tear up the track!
2026 All-American Class Basics
- Maximum tire size of 315mm and 200 treadwear minimum, unless the vehicle came equipped from the factory with a larger production tire for that model
- Vehicles may not have any body modifications to accommodate up to 295mm tires
Fun Runs
Want to try something new and get a taste of AutoCross racing before fully committing to a competition class? Fun Runs are open to any registered vehicle on the grounds. Come down, do a quick inspection, grab a helmet, and turn a few laps to see what makes AutoCross so fun. If you really enjoy it, you can register for AutoCross and we will find a home for you to race competitively.
POINTS SYSTEM BASICS
All competitive AutoCross classes will use a points system to determine the season winner. For each event you compete in, you will earn points based on your best lap time. The points system assigns 100 points for first place, 99 points for second place, and so on down the competitor list.
Each competitive class will also have a four-vehicle shootout at each event, with separate shootout points awarded. Shootout points values are awarded as follows: 100 points for first place; 90 points for second place; 80 points for third place; and 70 points for fourth place.
The season class points winners will be determined by the combined points totals from their three best class finishes during the 2026 season, including the final 29th Speedway Motors Southwest Nationals Duel in the Desert on November 20-21, plus any shootout points earned from these three best class events. The three best events equal a maximum of 300 class points plus earned shootout points.
Qualifying for the season-finale King of the Desert shootout will start with the Spring Lone Star Nationals in Fort Worth, Texas, and end with the completion of the 29th Speedway Motors Southwest Nationals Duel in the Desert in Scottsdale, Arizona. The Duel in the Desert will count as a third event toward the King of the Desert qualifying points.
KING OF THE DESERT
Goodguys will recognize the best of the best in AutoCross competition with end-of-season King of the Desert shootouts for the PRO-X, PRO, Street Machine, Corvette, and Truck classes. These shootouts will happen Saturday, November 21, at the 29th Speedway Motors Southwest Nationals, with the winner of each being crowned “King” in their class and earning a $2,000 grand prize.
Each eligible class will feature an eight-vehicle elimination ladder for the King of the Desert shootout. Shootout invitations are awarded to the top five in season points for each eligible class following the 33rd Summit Racing Lone Star Nationals in September. Points are still earned through the 29th Speedway Motors Southwest Nationals. The three remaining open spots will be determined by the top three cars in each class. Race-in competitors must have attended a minimum of three qualifying events in 2026 through the 29th Speedway Motors Southwest Nationals. Qualifying times from the Southwest Nationals event will set the seeding position for the shootout brackets. The King of the Desert shootouts will have multi-lap, elimination formats with the fastest times moving on.
See you on the track! Check out Goodguys AutoCross for more details.
