Larsen is originally from northern Utah, but moved to Arizona over 40 years ago for school and is retired from the local aerospace industry. Today he lives in the Desert Ridge area of Phoenix. He attends both of the Goodguys events held each year in Scottsdale, along with other local shows. During the Southwest Nationals weekend he was with his son, Joseph.

"It's the biggest car show in town," Cory Larsen said of Goodguys. "It's so big, it's fun to go to because you get to see a lot of different things. We have a buddy and some other friends that we always meet out there and just have a good time."

Included in the variety of programs at the year-end Goodguys event is the "Duel in the Desert" Shootout to conclude the Goodguys CPP AutoCross Series.

Mark Allen has been participating in autocross competitions for many years and drove his 1967 Camaro RS/SS to a 10th-place result in the Street Machine class during this year's Southwest Nationals. A Chevrolet Performance LT4 crate engine* powers the car painted in House of Kolor True Blue Pearl and accented with a custom silver-and-Galaxy Gray stripe package. Allen has owned the Camaro for about 27 years, and after running a variety of engines, chose the 650 horsepower-capable LT4 for many of its benefits on the autocross course, including horsepower and throttle control.

"In autocross racing, you're going to be hitting the rev limiters a lot and the motor has to be able to take the abuse of hard throttle on and lift; it's not an easy chore for any motor," Allen explained. "From everything in our research on the LT4, it was rock-solid."

An Arizona native who lives in Gilbert and retired from the construction industry, Allen has been involved in a variety of motorsports during his life, ranging from drag racing to SCORE off-road trucks. Thus, autocross helps quench his thirst for competition.

However, it's the camaraderie that keeps him coming back. 

"I've come to learn over the years, it's the people that I really enjoy the most," he said. "The competition is fun, but if it weren't for the people the competition wouldn't mean anything."

Indeed, in Scottsdale his son-in-law Chris Greener was with him at the show and he refers to the Goodguys competitors as his autocross family.

Additionally, the year-end Goodguys show is known for its spotlight on the winners of the association's prestigious awards throughout the season, with the Top 12 prominently displayed near the show entrance.

That includes the Chevrolet Performance Builder of the Year program, which recently wrapped up its second year. The contest features two categories: GM Iron and GM Retro Iron. The GM Iron category recognizes a GM build with a GM powertrain, while GM Retro Iron highlights a non-GM build with a powertrain from General Motors. 

Finalists are selected during Goodguys events throughout the year, with the Builders of the Year chosen in early October. This year's winner in GM Iron was Will Posey's Big Oak Garage for a custom, W-engine-powered 1961 Impala known as "Dirty Martini" due to its one-off Axalta green paint. The car also won the Goodguys Custom of the Year award. Meanwhile, Troy Ladd's Hollywood Hot Rods took the victory in GM Retro Iron for a 1932 Ford with a 331 cu.-in. Cadillac engine. That car also scored the Goodguys Street Rod D'Elegance crown. 

"To be recognized by Chevrolet Performance is absolutely crazy," said Posey, whose shop is located in Gadsden, Alabama. "For the builder to win awards, that's just pretty special and doesn't happen very often."