Forgeline customers once again reigned supreme at the 18th annual OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational, in Las Vegas during the 2025 SEMA week, where they claimed the top two spots on the overall podium and won both of their respective classes. Austin Barnes led the way, earning the overall 2025 Invitational championship title in his 2003 Chevrolet Corvette on Forgeline one piece forged monoblock VX1R wheels, while runner-up Chris Smith finished in second-place overall in his 1970 Chevrolet Camaro on Forgeline Carbon+Forged GA-Carbon wheels.
Austin finished near the top overall in each of the Invitational's four competition segments, including first place overall in the Falken Tire Hot Lap Challenge, first place overall in the Gearhead Classics Autocross, third place overall in the Design and Engineering Challenge, and fourth place overall in the Peak Performance Acceleration/Braking Challenge. His performance throughout the grueling 7-day competition added up to a record-tying 495 points, earning him both the GTL class championship and the overall Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational championship title above all 73 competitors.
Chris Smith (the 2024 season points champion) scored a total of 480 points to win the ultra-competitive GTV class and finish in second-place overall at the 2025 Invitational. His performance included an impressive first-place finish in the Design and Engineering Challenge for his 1970 Chevrolet Camaro, a result that was surely bolstered by his new Forgeline Carbon+Forged GA-Carbon wheels with high-tech lightweight carbon fiber outer barrels.
And while three-time Invitational champion Bob Sobey didn't stand on the overall podium at the 2025 Invitational, he did secure the 2025 Optima Ultimate Street Car season points championship title, thanks to near-perfect performances at Laguna Seca and Road America with his 2013 Nissan GT-R on Forgeline one piece forged monoblock GS1R wheels.
Austin’s 2025 Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational win marks the fourteenth year that the OUSCI champion has driven to victory on Forgeline wheels throughout the event’s 18-year history, including Steven Rupp’s ’68 Camaro in 2008, Mark Stielow’s ’69 Camaro in 2010, Todd Rumpke’s ’06 Corvette in 2011, Danny Popp’s ’03 Corvette in 2014, 2015, & 2016, Ken Thwaits’ ’06 Mitsubishi Evo in 2017, Mike DuSold’s ’67 Camaro in 2018 & 2019, Jake Rozelle’s ’03 Corvette Z06 in 2021, Bob Sobey’s '13 Nissan GT-R in 2022, 2023, & 2024, and now Austin's '03 Corvette for 2025.
Congrats to Austin, Chris, Bob, and all of the 2025 OUSCI class champions! And thank you for trusting Forgeline to carry you to glory!
For more information about the OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational and the OPTIMA Search for the Ultimate Street Car Series, visit DriveOPTIMA.com.
Austin finished near the top overall in each of the Invitational's four competition segments, including first place overall in the Falken Tire Hot Lap Challenge, first place overall in the Gearhead Classics Autocross, third place overall in the Design and Engineering Challenge, and fourth place overall in the Peak Performance Acceleration/Braking Challenge. His performance throughout the grueling 7-day competition added up to a record-tying 495 points, earning him both the GTL class championship and the overall Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational championship title above all 73 competitors.
Chris Smith (the 2024 season points champion) scored a total of 480 points to win the ultra-competitive GTV class and finish in second-place overall at the 2025 Invitational. His performance included an impressive first-place finish in the Design and Engineering Challenge for his 1970 Chevrolet Camaro, a result that was surely bolstered by his new Forgeline Carbon+Forged GA-Carbon wheels with high-tech lightweight carbon fiber outer barrels.
And while three-time Invitational champion Bob Sobey didn't stand on the overall podium at the 2025 Invitational, he did secure the 2025 Optima Ultimate Street Car season points championship title, thanks to near-perfect performances at Laguna Seca and Road America with his 2013 Nissan GT-R on Forgeline one piece forged monoblock GS1R wheels.
Austin’s 2025 Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational win marks the fourteenth year that the OUSCI champion has driven to victory on Forgeline wheels throughout the event’s 18-year history, including Steven Rupp’s ’68 Camaro in 2008, Mark Stielow’s ’69 Camaro in 2010, Todd Rumpke’s ’06 Corvette in 2011, Danny Popp’s ’03 Corvette in 2014, 2015, & 2016, Ken Thwaits’ ’06 Mitsubishi Evo in 2017, Mike DuSold’s ’67 Camaro in 2018 & 2019, Jake Rozelle’s ’03 Corvette Z06 in 2021, Bob Sobey’s '13 Nissan GT-R in 2022, 2023, & 2024, and now Austin's '03 Corvette for 2025.
Congrats to Austin, Chris, Bob, and all of the 2025 OUSCI class champions! And thank you for trusting Forgeline to carry you to glory!
For more information about the OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational and the OPTIMA Search for the Ultimate Street Car Series, visit DriveOPTIMA.com.