The Driver

The History

Born into an automotive and racing family, S.D. Wheeler was immersed into the world of drag racing at an early age. His father built and fielded several strong Ford-powered entries in NHRA Stock, Super Stock, and Modified Production culminating in a record-holding H/Modified Production ’65 Ford Falcon. From his father, S.D. inherited the determination, mechanical skills, and abilities necessary to become a champion. “I learned fractions before kindergarten because Dad would sit me on the workbench next to the toolbox and call out what he needed. My job was to toss him the correct tool the first time because you really didn’t want him throwing it back at you.” Another strong influence was his uncle that raced Mopars ranging from Stock and Super Stock all the way up to Alcohol Funny Car and Alcohol Dragster. These two men would help form the foundation of technical knowledge and driving ability that S.D. would draw upon for years to come.

Once he had a driver’s license in hand Wheeler hit the track. He soon became known for outstanding reflexes and a natural ability to pilot a race car. A few years later S.D. would also enter the engineering field as a Mechanical Designer in Houston’s oil and gas industry. His racing waned a bit during these years as two sons would take up much of his time. In 2001, S.D. purchased a used 1998 Mustang GT for the sole purpose of racing in the Fun Ford Weekend series Mod Motor class. In his very first race in this class, Wheeler drove the car from Houston to Bradenton, Florida and took a runner-up finish. Afterwards, he drove the car home to Houston. This auspicious debut marked a season that would culminate in a top ten finish in the class. S.D. competed for several years in the M/M class but time and family constraints kept him out of the top ten.

In 2006 Ford Racing Performance Parts and Fun Ford Weekend created a new class to highlight the S197 Mustang. Ultra Stang was for real street cars…not thinly disguised race cars. A true driver’s class, Wheeler was drawn to it immediately. Only one problem: he didn’t own a new Mustang. After reviewing the rules S.D. noticed he could rent a Mustang and race. Competing in a different rented Mustang at each race in the nine race series, he racked up five wins, two runner-ups, and two semi-finals to lock up the inaugural Ultra Stang Championship! Two of these wins featured the new Shelby GT-H Mustang from Shelby Autos and Hertz. Wheeler has the distinction of not only being the first driver to win any type of race with a modern-era Shelby Mustang, he is also destined for the Guinness Book of World Records as the first person to use a different vehicle at each race to win a national championship in ANY form of motorsports competition. His reward for all this? Hertz has banned him from renting cars and FRPP changed the rules so that rental cars are now illegal in Ultra Stang!

Not to be deterred, S.D. purchased himself a 2007 Mustang GT and ran a limited, four race schedule in 2007. He won one race in that season….the FFW Texas Thunder at Houston Raceway Park and finished in seventh place. Over the winter of 2007 a trip to the PRI show in Orlando, Florida paid off big dividends in the form of a new full-time sponsor, Team Performance Products. Armed with their new Stealth GT Twin Turbo System on his Strictly Performance-prepared Mustang GT, S.D. again went on a tear through the FFW series. Six wins, one runner-up, and two semi-finals later……S.D. Wheeler and Team Performance were the 2008 Ultra Stang Champions. Another win at Houston Raceway Park meant that S.D. has gone “3 for 3” at his home track. Three straight wins in three seasons in the Ultra Stang class solidifies Wheeler’s claim that “The Park is Mine!”

Now comes the 2010 season and new sponsorship from Kicker Audio, Probe Industries/Coast High Performance, C&L Performance, Street Car 1320, and several others…..S.D. Wheeler is poised to challenge for the NMRA Super Stang champioship.  Stay tuned….it is going to be a hell of a good time!!!