Our Most Coveted Awards
The Annual Top 12 Presented by Meguiar’s

Our Most Coveted Awards
The Annual Top 12 Presented by Meguiar’s
About The Goodguys
TOP 12 PRESENTED BY MEGUIAR’S
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, presented by Meguiar's.”
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!
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, presented by Meguiar's: "Event-Specific" and "Regional".
Event Specific Awards
Event Specific Awards include 7 award categories selected at six specific events throughout the year. These awards and events include:
- Custom Of The Year presented by Fuel Curve: selected at Goodguys 38th All American Get-Together, March 26 & 27, 2022, Pleasanton, CA
- Street Rod D' Elegance presented by Meguiar's: selected at Goodguys 21st Meguiar’s Del Mar Nationals, April 1-3, 2022, Del Mar, CA
- Hot Rod Of The Year presented by Tanks Inc.: selected at Goodguys 16th BASF Nashville Nationals presented by BluePrint Engines, May 13-15, 2022, Lebanon, TN
- Street Rod Of The Year presented by Classic Instruments: Goodguys 24th Summit Racing Nationals presented by PPG, July 8-10, 2022, Columbus, OH
- Street Machine Of The Year presented by PPG selected at: Goodguys 24th Summit Racing Nationals presented by PPG, July 8-10, 2022, Columbus, OH
- America's Most Beautiful presented by BASF: selected at Goodguys 35th Racedeck West Coast Nationals, August 26-28, 2022 Pleasanton, CA
- AutoCrosser Of The Year presented by Classic Performance Products: elected at Goodguys 25th Speedway Motors Southwest Nationals (Featuring the "Duel in the Desert" AutoCross Shootout), November 18-20, 2022, 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 5 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 7, 2022.
- 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 Hot Rods 'N Customs
- Truck Of The Year Late (1960-1997), presented by LMC Truck
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
2022 CUSTOM OF THE YEAR
Eligibility: Custom vehicles 1936 through 1972 vintage.
Basic Criteria: This award is designed to honor an exceptional custom vehicle. The award is open to all styles and genres of customs (from traditional to radical to modern).
How to Enter: You must have your custom entered in the indoor portion of the 38th Autumn Get-Together to be eligible for this award.
Selected at: Goodguys 38th All American Get-Together, March 26 & 27, Pleasanton, CA
Basic Criteria: This award is designed to honor an exceptional custom vehicle. The award is open to all styles and genres of customs (from traditional to radical to modern).
How to Enter: You must have your custom entered in the indoor portion of the 38th Autumn Get-Together to be eligible for this award.
Selected at: Goodguys 38th All American Get-Together, March 26 & 27, Pleasanton, CA

2022 Winner - Dan Duffy's 1961 Impala Bubble Top "Dirty Martini" | Built by Big Oak Garage
2022 MEGUIAR'S 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 21st Del Mar Nationals. Finalists will be selected from the indoor car show only.
Selected at: Goodguys 21st Meguiar’s Del Mar Nationals, April 1-3, Del Mar, CA
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 21st Del Mar Nationals. Finalists will be selected from the indoor car show only.
Selected at: Goodguys 21st Meguiar’s Del Mar Nationals, April 1-3, Del Mar, CA

2022 Winner - Pat Gaunt's 1932 Ford Coupe | Built by Hollywood Hot Rods
2022 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!
How to Enter: Friday, May 13th 9AM Sharp on pit road at Nashville Superspeedway
Selected at: Goodguys 16th BASF Nashville Nationals presented by BluePrint Engines – May 13-15, Lebanon, TN

2021 Winner - John Hornbrook's 1932 Ford 3 Window Coupe | Built by Murray Kustom Rods
2022 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 8th 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.
Selected at: Goodguys 24th Summit Racing Nationals, presented by PPG, July 8-10, Columbus, OH

2021 Winner - Wes & Vivian Rydell's 1941 Chevy | Built by Rad Rides by Troy
2022 STREET MACHINE OF THE YEAR
Eligibility: Street machines 1954 through 1997 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 8th 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.
Selected at: Goodguys 24th Summit Racing Nationals, presented by PPG, July 8-10, Columbus, OH

2021 Winner - Chad Farischon's 1969 Camaro | Built by Mountain Home Street Rods
2022 AMERICA’S MOST BEAUTIFUL
Eligibility: Street Rods, Hot Rods, Trick Trucks, Street Machines, Customs, Custom Rods and Muscle Cars through 1997 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, August 27th from 7am-Noon. Finalists will be chosen from this area only.
Selected at: Goodguys 35th Racedeck West Coast Nationals, August 26-28, Pleasanton, CA

2021 Winner - Ryan Gates' 1968 Camaro "Rhodium" | Built by East Bay Muscle Cars
CPP AUTOCROSSER OF THE YEAR
Eligibility: This prestigious award goes to the 2022 Autocross season competitor with the highest overall points total following the Duel in the Desert. Class points plus shootout points will be considered for all National Events, and up to (2) Get-Together events, plus any points earned in the “Duel in the Desert” Class Shootout and “King of the Desert'' Shootout. Autocross Of The Year and car must be present 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 highest points total competing in the Duel in the Desert. The winning car will go from the winner’s circle to Meguiar's “Top 12” Of-the-Year display as the final Autocrosser Of-the-Year award winning car.
Criteria: Must compete in a minimum of five event shootouts during the 2022 season, not including the Sponsor Shootout or Duel in the Desert Shootout. Must be within the top sixteen points for your class. The winner of the Duel in the Desert Shootout that meets these requirements will be the 2022 Autocrosser of the Year.
How to Enter: Must compete in a minimum of five event shootouts with the same car that qualifies for the Duel in the Desert during the 2021 season (not including: Sponsor Shootout, Duel in the Desert Shootout or All-American Sunday Shootouts); must be one of the 32 cars racing in the Finals Shootout held Saturday, November 20th during the Goodguys 25th Speedway Motors Southwest Nationals @ Westworld in Scottsdale.
Selected at: Goodguys 25th Southwest Nationals, presented by Classic Performance Products, November 18-20, Scottsdale, AZ

2021 AutoCrosser of the Year - Josh Leisinger | Summit Racing 1964 Corvette
Regional "Top 12" Awards
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 7th, 2022 based on a finalist selected at each of these qualifying events.
2022 Qualifying Events:
- 12th LMC Truck Spring Lone Star Nationals - March 11-13, Fort Worth TX
- 12th FiTech Fuel Injection Spring Nationals presented by Grundy Collector Car Insurance - March 18-20, Scottsdale AZ
- 21st Meguiar’s Del Mar Nationals - April 1-3, Del Mar CA
- 7th Griot’s Garage North Carolina Nationals - April 22-24, Raleigh NC
- 16th BASF Nashville Nationals presented by BluePrint Engines - May 13-15, Lebanon TN
- 31st Speedway Motors Heartland Nationals presented by BASF - July 1-3, Des Moines IA
- 24th Grundy Collector Car Insurance Colorado Nationals presented by Griot’s Garage - September 9-11, Loveland CO
Current Qualifiers:

2022 Spring Lone Star Nationals
Dan Duffy | 1961 Chevy Impala
(out of contention - winner of 2022 Custom of the Year)

2022 Spring Nationals
Mac Caldwell | 1955 Chevy Sedan Delivery

2022 Del Mar Nationals
David Biegler | 1964 Buick Riviera

2021 Winner - Jason Graham's 1963 Ford Galaxie | Built by Jason Graham Hot Rods
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 2021 events listed below.
Winner Announced Friday, October 7th, 2022 based on a finalist selected at each of these qualifying events.
2021 Qualifying Events:
- 24th Speedway Motors Southwest Nationals, November 19-21, Scottsdale, AZ
- 12th LMC Truck Spring Lone Star Nationals - March 11-13, Fort Worth TX
- 12th FiTech Fuel Injection Spring Nationals presented by Grundy Collector Car Insurance - March 18-20, Scottsdale AZ
- 21st Meguiar’s Del Mar Nationals - April 1-3, Del Mar CA
- 7th Griot’s Garage North Carolina Nationals - April 22-24, Raleigh NC
- 16th BASF Nashville Nationals presented by BluePrint Engines - May 13-15, Lebanon TN
- 27th Summer Get-Together - June 4 & 5, Pleasanton CA
- 20th Classic Performance Products Great Northwest Nationals - June 10-12, Spokane WA
- 31st Speedway Motors Heartland Nationals presented by BASF - July 1-3, Des Moines IA
- 24th Summit Racing Nationals presented by PPG - July 8-10, Columbus OH
- 34th Griot’s Garage Pacific Northwest Nationals - July 22-24, Puyallup WA
- 35th RaceDeck West Coast Nationals - August 26-28, Pleasanton CA
- 24th Grundy Collector Car Insurance Colorado Nationals presented by Griot’s Garage - September 9-11, Loveland CO
- 29th Summit Racing Lone Star Nationals - September 16-18, Fort Worth TX
- 1st Meguiar's So-Cal Nationals, presented by BASF - Sept 30 - Oct 2, Del Mar CA
- *25th Speedway Motors Southwest Nationals - November 18-20, Scottsdale AZ
*This event finalist in 2022 rolls over to 2023 running
Current Qualifiers:

2021 Southwest Nationals
Keith Adelsberg | 1967 Chevy Impala SS

2022 Del Mar Nationals
Mark Reagan | 1969 Chevy Camaro

2022 Spring Lone Star Nationals
Joel Jackson | 1966 Chevy Chevelle

2022 Spring Nationals
Gord Martin | 1970 Buick GSX

2021 Winner - Phil Michell's 1969 Pontiac Firebird
MUSCLE MACHINE OF THE YEAR
Eligibility: Muscle Machines 1960 through 1997 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 7th, 2022 based on a finalist selected at each of these qualifying events.
2022 Qualifying Events:
- 12th FiTech Fuel Injection Spring Nationals presented by Grundy Collector Car Insurance - March 18-20, Fort Worth TX
- 21st Meguiar’s Del Mar Nationals - April 1-3, Del Mar CA
- 7th Griot’s Garage North Carolina Nationals - April 22-24, Raleigh NC
- 16th BASF Nashville Nationals presented by BluePrint Engines - May 13-15, Lebanon TN
- 31st Speedway Motors Heartland Nationals presented by BASF - July 1-3, Des Moines IA
- 24th Summit Racing Nationals presented by PPG - July 8-10, Columbus OH
- 29th Summit Racing Lone Star Nationals - September 16-18, Fort Worth TX
Current Qualifiers:

2022 Spring Lone Star Nationals
Jesse Kindberg | 1969 Chevy Camaro

2022 Del Mar Nationals
Kevin Hart | 1969 Plymouth Road Runner

2021 Winner - Steve Aguilar's 1971 Camaro Z28 "Infrared"
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 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 7th, 2022 based on a finalist selected at each of these qualifying events.
2021 Qualifying Events:
- *31st Autumn Get-Together, November 13 & 14, Pleasanton, CA*
2022 Qualifying Events:
- 12th LMC Truck Spring Lone Star Nationals - March 11-13, Fort Worth TX
- 21st Meguiar’s Del Mar Nationals - April 1-3, Del Mar CA
- 7th Griot’s Garage North Carolina Nationals - April 22-24, Raleigh NC
- 16th BASF Nashville Nationals presented by BluePrint Engines - May 13-15, Lebanon TN
- 31st Speedway Motors Heartland Nationals presented by BASF - July 1-3, Des Moines IA
- 35th RaceDeck West Coast Nationals - August 26-28, Pleasanton CA
- 24th Grundy Collector Car Insurance Colorado Nationals presented by Griot’s Garage - September 9-11, Loveland CO
- 29th Summit Racing Lone Star Nationals - September 16-18, Fort Worth TX
- *32nd Autumn Get-Together - November 12 & 13, Pleasanton CA
*This event finalist in 2022 rolls over to 2023 running
Current Qualifiers:

2021 Autumn Get-Together
Sal Seeno | 1953 Chevy 3100

2022 Spring Lone Star Nationals
Amie Angelo | 1940 Chevy Suburban

2022 Del Mar Nationals
Ken Fontes | 1956 Chevy 3100

2021 Winner - Rod Bryant - 1950 Ford F1 | Built by Ron Jones Garage
TRUCK OF THE YEAR - LATE (’60 through ‘97)
Eligibility: Trick trucks 1960 through 1997
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 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 7th, 2022 based on a finalist selected at each of these qualifying events.
2021 Qualifying Events:
- 31st Autumn Get-Together - November 13 & 14, 2021
- 12th LMC Truck Spring Lonestar Nationals , March 11-13, Fort Worth, TX
- 12th FiTech Fuel Injection Spring Nationals presented by Grundy Collector Car Insurance, March 18-20, Scottsdale, AZ
- 21st Meguiar's Del Mar Nationals, April 1-3, Del Mar, CA
- 31st Speedway Motors Heartland Nationals presented by BASF, July 1-3, Des Moines, IA
- 24th Summit Racing Nationals presented by PPG, July 8-10, Columbus, OH
- 29th Summit Racing Lone Star Nationals, September 16-18, Fort Worth, TX
- *32nd Autumn Get-Together, November 12 & 13, Pleasanton, CA*
*Finalists chosen at these shows will be added to the list of 2023 Truck of the Year Late finalists
Current Qualifiers:

2021 Autumn Get-Together
Mark Sandfort | 1965 Chevy C10

2022 Del Mar Nationals
Steve Jones | 1966 Chevy C10

2022 Spring Lone Star Nationals
Tyler Dalgren | 1966 Chevy C10

2022 Spring Nationals
Kenny Keith | 1964 Ford Ranchero

2021 Winner - Fred Bishop's 1971 Ford F100 "El Diablo" | Built by WW Speed & Customs