Dwight Ausmus has made many memories while racing.
Most involve fulfillment and some involve frustration, but all involve his family, focused team, fellow racers and friends.
When Ausmus is acknowledged, he actively turns the attention to them, and asserts that he would not be able to accomplish what he does without them. The racer from LaFollette, Tennessee, is as gracious as he is great behind the wheel.
He came close to earning several championships while competing in NMCA Dart NA 10.5, and when the series ceased operations at the end of 2024, he aimed toward Small Tire Pro Stock, a naturally aspirated, heads-up class he created with fellow racers David Theisen, John Langer, Joe Clemente and Robbie Blankenship. With support from 10K Technology, Pen and Paper Strength App, Dolce and Clemente’s Market, V & J Inc., BES Racing Engines, CFM Carburetors and Extreme Fab and Beadlocks, Small Tire Pro Stock debuted with a six-race schedule including five tracks in the spring of 2025.
At the first race, which was part of Sick at the Rock presented by Motion Raceworks in April at Rockingham Dragway in North Carolina, Ausmus set the pace in qualifying with a record-setting 7.56 elapsed time in his Firebird powered by a 573 cubic-inch Pontiac by Tony Bischoff of BES Racing Engines, carburetor by Dale Cubic of CFM Carburetors and a five-speed transmission by Liberty’s. Density altitude was at 200 feet and weather conditions were ideal for naturally aspirated engines, and several rounds later, he became the first-ever racer to arrive in the Small Tire Pro Stock Winner’s Circle with a lifting 8.78 after John Langer had an issue in his Trans Am with a 577 cubic-inch Pontiac by BES Racing Engines. For qualifying in the top spot, he earned a strong-as-a-bull themed trophy and a $250 top-qualifier bonus, and for winning, he earned $2,500.
“That was a good start to the season for my team and me, and it gave us confidence going into the next race,” said Ausmus, who dedicated the win to his wife, Becky, as they were celebrating their 26th wedding anniversary that weekend.
ON AN OUTSTANDING ROLL
Ausmus then traveled to the second Small Tire Pro Stock race, which was part of Sick on the Green in May at Beech Bend Raceway Park in Kentucky. He qualified in the second spot with a 7.71 and remarkably returned to the Small Tire Pro Stock Winner’s Circle with a 7.73 against Langer, who turned in a 7.80.
As summer began to heat up, the southern gentleman qualified in the second spot with a 7.86 at the third Small Tire Pro Stock race, which was part of the Heads-Up Series in July at Darana Dragway, formerly Milan Dragway, in Michigan. He exited eliminations in the semifinal round after losing traction on the hot track while David Theisen trapped a 7.84 in the other lane in his Firebird featuring a 500 cubic-inch DRCE engine by Uratchko Racing Engines.
“I knew I had to run well against David, but I was second-guessing myself and wondering whether the tune-up I put in was going to let the car take the hit,” said Ausmus. “Unfortunately it didn’t, and that absorbed my focus. David had me on the tree, too, and I just did not execute the way I needed to on that pass.”
Putting his disappointment in the past, Ausmus arrived at the fourth Small Tire Pro Stock race, which was in early August at Darana Dragway in Michigan. He ripped off a 7.66 to qualify in the second spot, and several rounds later, lined up alongside Langer for the final round of eliminations. It was another close race, as Ausmus stopped the clocks at 7.64 and won while Langer was right there with a 7.67.
“I really had to pay more attention to conditions, and using data we gathered during the race at Darana Dragway in July, I was more prepared for the race at Darana Dragway in August,” said Ausmus. “It also helped that I felt more confident every time I went up to the starting line and staged.”
The fifth race on the Small Tire Pro Stock schedule was hosted by Jackson Dragway in Tennessee in late August. Due to extreme heat during the day, qualifying and racing began in the evening. After several rounds of eliminations, Ausmus and Theisen earned their trips to the final round of eliminations but decided not to race as fellow racer Joe Clemente came into contact with the retaining wall while racing Theisen and was transported to the hospital. With a concussion and bruising, Clemente remained at the hospital for several hours.
“After Joe’s accident in the semifinal, David and I decided not to race because it just did not feel right,” said Ausmus. “I know we will get to race each other again, and it will be a good race. It always is with him.”
REWARDING RACING FOR ALL THE RIGHT REASONS
Focused on a sensational and successful finish to the inaugural Small Tire Pro Stock season, Ausmus arrived at Cecil County Dragway in Maryland, ready to roll. He qualified in the second spot with a 7.75 and put another 7.75 on the board to get by Jeff Ikard and his 8.12 hit in his Mustang in the first round of eliminations. The remainder of the race was cancelled because of rain, but Ausmus, who worked wonders with his team to be competitive at every turn, earned enough points to go down in history as the first-ever Small Tire Pro Stock champion.
“The championship was a long time coming, and it is a satisfaction that is hard to put into words,” said Ausmus.
Ausmus is as sincere as he can be when he says he could not have accomplished a championship without the steadfast support he receives from his wife, Becky, who gives her heart and soul to her husband as he pursues his passion, and goes above and beyond to support him, his team and fellow racers; Curt Jamison, his best friend of 35 years and right-hand man, who has only missed two races in 13 years; Charlie Campbell, who was a close friend of his late father and is now a close friend of his; his brother, Aaron Ausmus, who calls him when he is on his way to each race and offers encouragement and well-wishes, and Tom Andriopoulos and Keith McCormick, who have been by his side for years, despite countless converter and transmission swaps.
Ausmus also acknowledges Tony Bischoff of BES Racing Engines for building his extremely reliable high horsepower combination; Dale Cubic of CFM Performance Carburetors for finessing his carburetor for optimal fuel flow and Jack Gaydosh (known as The Godfather) for remote track support on clutch adjustments that helped him make 47 passes this year in qualifying and eliminations and only kicking the tires one time.
“I cannot stop thinking about all of the support I have had from behind the scenes, and it is that support that made the championship possible,” said Ausmus. “My family, my team and my friends have all made sacrifices to help me, and those sacrifices take time away from their families. They deserve recognition for this championship.”
This story was originally published on October 6, 2025. 
