Combining power, agility, and precision, autocross is the embodiment of modern performance. As such, it’s the perfect outlet for LS-powered creations in the contemporary pro-touring mode. In this unique and popular form of competition, racers battle individually for the quickest time around a tight, technical course delineated by cones in a parking lot.
It’s a game won or lost by fractions of a second, making it both maddening and richly rewarding, depending on the merits of one’s performance on any given run. Nimble, tight-handling cars typically have an edge in autocross, but that doesn’t keep competitors from giving it a try in practically anything with an LS or LT engine in it. It’s yet another venue for the endless variety of LS-based machines, and the result is always entertaining for drivers and spectators alike.
The five fastest autocross competitors are selected for a shootout race as the sun sets over the track Saturday evening. Unlike standard competitions, here, drivers get three consecutive laps; their final score is the cumulative time of all three. It's a demanding test of both speed and consistency, with zero room for error. Every fraction of a second counts. So clipping a cone – a frequent mishap that adds two seconds to a driver's time – can quickly shift the standings.
Dallas Reed bought his 2024 Corvette E-Ray just three days before the event. In a race against time, he overnighted tires and hit the track with his all-wheel-drive Corvette, which features electric motors powering the front wheels. Despite his valiant effort, Dallas struggled with cone penalties on every run.
Christopher Jensen, a seasoned autocross veteran, returned this year with his LS-swapped 1986 Mazda RX7. Known for its homemade aerodynamics and wild performance, Christopher competed fiercely but narrowly finished fourth in the Top 5 shootout.
Garry Walsh made clean runs throughout, but the competition was tough, and his performance wasn't quite enough to clinch a higher spot. He took home third in his 2004 Chevrolet Corvette Z06.
Ryan Matthews, a formidable competitor and former NASCAR driver, finished second last year and was a strong contender again this time. As the owner/operator of After Dark Speed, Ryan's 2006 Corvette delivered three impressive consecutive 37-second laps, each faster than the last. However, his efforts fell just short of victory.
Duke Langley emerged as the winner with his 2002 Chevy Corvette. Duke's consistent performance and skillful driving secured him the top spot in this year's autocross shootout.
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1st Place: Duke Langley
2nd Place: Ryan Mathews
3rd Place: Danny Popp
Autocross Shootout Winner: Duke Langley
Baer Brakes Shootout Winner: Cody Pucket
Baer Brakes Shootout Drawing Winner: Kyle Cochran
