DWIGHT AUSMUS

hot track while David Theisen trapped a 7.84 in the other lane.

“ 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,” says 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 No. 2, and ultimately lined up alongside John Langer for the final round. 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 in August,” says 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. Ausmus and Theisen earned trips to the final round 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,” says Ausmus.“ I know we will get to race each other again, and it will be a good race. It always is with him.”

Focused on a successful finish to the inaugural Small Tire Pro Stock season, Ausmus arrived

at Cecil County Dragway in Maryland, ready to roll. He qualified No. 2 with a 7.75 and put another 7.75 on the board to get by Jeff Ikard in the first round. 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,” says 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, Curt Jamison, Charlie Campbell, his brother, Aaron Ausmus, and Tom Andriopoulos and Keith McCormick.

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,” says 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.” DI

24 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated. com Issue 197