Theisen Earns Small Tire Pro Stock Win & NHRA Speed For All Wally

Despite stifling heat and humidity, Small Tire Pro Stock racers suited up and staged their cars for close competition at the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series SummerNationals,  Aug. 7-9, 2026 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park in Indiana.

Staying focused was a feat as temperatures tipped over 90 degrees, but racers were on a mission to make it to the winner’s circle and walk away with a distinguished and desirable NHRA Speed For All Wally.

Dwight Ausmus of Tennessee was in the spotlight early in the weekend with a 7.863 and 174 mph to lead qualifying in his Firebird with a 573 cubic-inch Pontiac by class sponsor BES Racing Engines, carburetor by class sponsor CFM Performance Carburetors and five-speed transmission by Liberty’s. By the end of the weekend, however, David Theisen of Michigan and Chad Neuenschwander of Indiana made their intentions clear in the fierce field of racers.

Theisen qualified in the second spot with a 7.867 and 179 mph in his LaFontaine Performance Center Firebird powered by a 500 cubic-inch DRCE engine by Uratchko Racing Engines and a Liberty’s five-speed. That proved he is absolutely adjusting to his recent switch from an automatic to a manual transmission.

In the first round of eliminations, Theisen, with help from his wife, Anna, clutch expert Ben Mastalier and engine builder Chris Uratchko, picked up to a 7.82 and 178 mph to defeat David Murray of Ohio, who stopped the clocks at 8.54 and 160 mph in his Mustang with a 450 cubic-inch small-block Ford by EIC Motorsports and fuel system by class sponsor Weldon High Performance.

In the second round of eliminations, Theisen trapped a 7.89 and 178 mph to get by Wayne Roberts of Michigan, who posted a 7.98 and 172 mph in his GSX with a DRCE II engine by BES Racing Engines.

Meanwhile, Neuenschwander, with help from his son and crew chief, Dylan, his wife, Joy, Dylan’s girlfriend, Hailey Day and Dwayne Hartman, qualified in the fourth spot with an 8.15 and 172 mph in his Mustang with a 415 cubic-inch small-block Ford which Dylan built  at Stanfield Racing Engines, two carburetors by CFM Performance Carburetors and a GF2000 five-speed by class sponsor G-Force Transmissions.

When Jeff Ikard of Alabama, could not make the call to the lanes for the first round of eliminations because of an electrical issue in his Mustang, Neuenschwander climbed into his car for a solo pass and created some concern when the door skin and window flew off the passenger’s side of his car at the top end of the track before the clocks stopped at 8.14 and 169 mph.

He and his team spent several hours that night to patch the door together with multiple rolls of tape and adhesive they had on hand and received from fellow racers. From there, Neuenschwander arrived at an 8.10 and 169 mph to win the second round of eliminations after Ausmus uncharacteristically turned on the red light.

With the semifinal complete, the final round featuring number two qualifier Theisen and number four qualifier Neuenschwander was set, and they were looking forward to giving each other a great race. Suspense began to build on the starting line, when Neuenschwander’s engine would not fire after an electrical cable came loose at the switch panel.

As everyone eagerly watched, Theisen patiently waited while Neuenschwander’s team tried desperately to fire up his high-horsepower car, but eventually, race officials told Theisen to stage, and he won with a 7.84 and 180 mph. Back in the pit area, Neuenschwander acknowledged Theisen for being willing to wait.

Theisen and his team were celebrated in the NHRA North Central Division 3 Winner’s Circle with NHRA Division 3 director William Tharpe, and in the Small Tire Pro Stock Winner’s Circle.

It was emotional, exciting and exhilarating to see him and his team take turns holding the NHRA Speed For All Wally alongside their very competitive and capable car.

“My team, including my wife Anna, Ben Mastalier and Chris Uratchko, worked hard, and I want to thank them for helping me win this race, and I want to thank Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park and NHRA Division 3 for welcoming Small Tire Pro Stock,” said Theisen. “The heat and humidity were brutal, but we gave it our best on every pass. We were looking forward to racing Chad in the final round of eliminations. It would have been a great race, and we were sorry to see him and his team have trouble. I know we will get to face each other in the final again someday.”

The Small Tire Pro Stock chase to the championship will continue at the next race on the tour, which is at the Nostalgia Drag Racing League World Nostalgia Drags, Sept. 11-12, 2026 at Darana Raceway in Hebron, Ohio. The class continues with support from stellar sponsors including MGP Connecting Rods, V&J Inc., Sporthorse Saddlery, CFM Performance Carburetors, G-Force Transmission, BES Racing Engines, Martino Race Engines, Pen and Paper Strength App, 10K Technology, Dolce and Clemente’s Italian Gourmet Market.