I think if the guys with the Hemi Super Stockers thought they would be faster without carrying the wheels thats what they would be doing. I think they want to go as quick as they can.
I guarantee they would be quicker. Watch a real fast small tire car like X275 they'll pick the tire a few inches for a short distance when they make the fast passes. The SS/AH cars have a lot of power and a very limited front end for the power level they are at. Believe it or not, torsion bars kinda suck.
Wheel stands add ET, blow shocks out and bend up mounting points, knock alignments around like Mike Tyson on a white guy and look cool as hell. I get it, it's cool, they're fun, but a lot of people don't consider the downside to pounding the car like that.