Masterful Small Tire Pro Stock drivers were on a mission on Aug. 1-2, 2025 at Darana Dragway, formerly Milan Dragway, in Michigan.
Settling into the class that debuted early this year, they were purposeful and persistent, and all of the revving resulted in energetic and exciting competition that commanded attention.
All shined as they were joined by the track’s All Motor racers, but among those standing out were Dwight Ausmus of LaFollette, Tennessee, and John Langer of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Ausmus arrived at a 7.66 and 182 mph to qualify in the second spot in his fit Firebird powered by 573 cubic-inch Pontiac by BES Racing Engines.
The steady racer went on to a 7.71 to defeat Tony Petrovski in the first round of eliminations, followed by a 7.65 to upset Richie Nye, who joined the class for the first time, in the second round of eliminations. Ausmus ran to the 330 mark to gather data on a solo pass in the semifinal round of eliminations. All of that led him to the lanes to face Langer for the final round of eliminations. After a nail-biting nose-to-nose race, Ausmus went to the Small Tire Pro Stock Winner’s Circle with a 7.64 to Langer’s right-there 7.67.
“The conditions were much better at this race than they were at last month’s race, with lows in the 50s and highs in the 70s and air at 790 feet,” said Ausmus. “My team and I were putting A to B tune-ups on the car during the weekend, but we stepped it up to run John in the final round of eliminations, which was late at night. We had a close heads-up race, and it was nice to have people come up to us afterward and tell us that it was fun to watch. Congratulations to John and his team on a good race. I would really like to thank my wife, Becky, Curt Jamison and Charlie Campbell, as well as Keith McCormick and Jack Gaydosh, who helps me with the clutch set-up. We are now looking forward to the race at Don Baskin’s track, Jackson Dragway.”
Langer, piloting his Trans Am with a 577 cubic-inch Pontiac by BES Racing Engines, led qualifying with a 7.64 shot down the straight and narrow, and earned the strong as a bull-themed trophy and a $250 top-qualifier bonus sponsored by Dolce and Clemente’s Market and V & J Inc. The hot-shoe then clocked a 7.70 to advance over Chad Galloway in the first round of eliminations, followed by an 8.12 on a solo pass in the second round of eliminations, and a 7.67 to defeat Wayne Roberts, who was making sizable strides, in the semifinal round of eliminations. After that, he secured the runner-up finish against Ausmus with the 7.64 to 7.67 duel in the final round of eliminations.
“You have to hand it to Dwight and his crew,” said Langer. “They really have things figured out right now, but I can assure you that I will spend many sleepless nights trying to find that performance in my Trans Am to bring home my first W this year.”
10K Technology-sponsored payouts for Small Tire Pro Stock were $2,500 for the winner, $800 for the runner-up, $400 for semifinalists and $200 for quarterfinalists.
Small Tire Pro Stock receives steadfast support from 10K Technology, Pen and Paper Strength App, Dolce and Clemente’s Market, V & J Inc., BES Racing Engines, CFM Carburetors and Exstreme Fab and Beadlocks. Additionally, Weldon High Performance is on board as a contingency sponsor. With a focus on expanding and longevity, the class is seeking additional sponsors.
There will be more Small Tire Pro Stock action on Aug. 29-30 at Jackson Dragway in Tennessee and Sept. 26-27 at Cecil County Dragway in Maryland. For more information about the class and sponsorship opportunities, please follow the Small Tire Pro Stock Facebook page or email Mary Lendzion at xx98@sbcglobal.net.
This story was originally published on August 5, 2025. 
