Ausmus & Langer Strong in Small Tire Pro Stock Final in Kentucky

Small Tire Pro Stock racers showed pure passion and perseverance at Sick on the Green, May 30-31, 2025 at Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

It was just the second race for the class which debuted last April at Sick at the Rock presented by Motion Raceworks at Rockingham Dragway in North Carolina, and people are already seeing what the racers can do, what they want to do and what they will do in the name of comradeship and close competition in their wicked cars without power adders.

Through qualifying and eliminations, they were strong and stayed their course, and that includes Dwight Ausmus of LaFollette, Tennessee, and John Langer of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Ausmus qualified in the second spot with a 7.71 in his Firebird powered by 573 cubic-inch Pontiac by BES Racing Engines, and won the first round of eliminations with a 7.75 over Wayne Roberts, who had issues in his GSX. Ausmus got by the second round of eliminations with a full-pull of 7.74 after David Theisen had some trouble at take-off and was forced to lift. From there, he went to the Small Tire Pro Stock Winner’s Circle with a 7.73 against John Langer, who landed at 7.80 in his Trans Am. Ausmus and his team had his car tuned for consistency.

Dwight Ausmus and his team had his car tuned for consistency, and the racer from LaFollette, Tennessee went to the Small Tire Pro Stock Winner’s Circle with a 7.73 against equally tough competitor John Langer. (Photo credit: Mary Lendzion)

“This is the first time I have ever won back-to-back races, but I know I can’t get comfortable because this class is full of tough racers who are all capable of winning,” said Ausmus, who also won at Sick at the Rock. “This weekend was not easy on my crew, and I want to thank them, along with the track crew and everyone else associated with the event. I also want to congratulate John Langer.”

Langer, who led qualifying with a 7.67 trip in his Trans Am, earned the beautiful bull-themed trophy and a $250 top-qualifier bonus sponsored by Dolce and Clemente’s Market and V & J Inc. On race day, he won the first round of eliminations with a 7.74 over Jeff Ikard, who trapped an 8.12 in his Mustang, and had a bye-run in the second round of eliminations. That set the stage for his final round appearance and runner-up against Ausmus.

“I had too much clutch for the final round of eliminations,” said Langer. “Dwight Ausmus made the right call and outran me. Congratulations to him and his team.”

This marks Dwight Ausmus’ second win in a row, and the first time he has earned back-to-back wins in competition. (Photo credit: Mary Lendzion)

10K Technology sponsored payouts for the race, including $2,500 for the winner, $800 for the runner-up, $400 for semifinalists and $200 for quarterfinalists, and Sick’s Tom Bailey enhanced the purse by $1,250 to bring it to a handsome sum of $6,000. That would have been divided between Ausmus and Langer, but the class together decided to put the money into the Small Tire Pro Stock fund for future class use. Along with 10K Technology, class sponsors include Pen and Paper Strength App, Dolce and Clemente’s Market, V & J Inc., BES Racing Engines, CFM Carburetors and Exstreme Fab and Beadlocks.

“I want to thank all of our Small Tire Pro Stock racers for attending, and Tom Bailey and his team at Sick for welcoming us,” said Joe Clemente, who created Small Tire Pro Stock this year along with his fellow former NMCA Dart NA 10.5 racers Dwight Ausmus, John Langer, Robbie Blankenship and David Theisen. “I also want to recognize Thomas Bemis and Total Venue Concepts for giving all of us an unbelievably prepared race surface, especially considering the rain and heat we had. Also, Mike Washington is a great friend and race director.”

Small Tire Pro Stock appreciates being part of two Sick events in a row, and will next join the A&D Technology Heads-Up Series presented by Billy Briggs Racing Engines July 4-5 and Aug. 1-2 at Milan Dragway in Michigan.