EPPING, NH (June 5, 2022) —- Rookie Pro Stock driver Camrie Caruso continued to add experience just six races into her young career during the NHRA New England Nationals from New England Dragway. The 24-year-old driver from Denver, North Carolina, returned to racing action after a six-week layoff driving the Sand Haulers of America Chevrolet Camaro for the second race in a row. In her last appearance at the SpringNationals the third-generation driver raced to her first career final round following her first career No. 1 qualifying effort.
Caruso continued to show that Houston was not a fluke when it comes to the performance of her Titan Racing Engine powered Camaro Pro Stock race car. In qualifying the rookie powered to the No. 4 spot right off the hauler and kept her performance numbers at the top of the field throughout the weekend. Her run during the second qualifying session was the third quickest of the class and earned her an important qualifying bonus point.
Sand Haulers of America Chevrolet Camaro, photo by Auto Imagery/Gary Nastase
While Caruso was making consistent runs in a surprising turn of events five-time Pro Stock world champion Greg Anderson was struggling in qualifying and headed into eliminations as the No. 12 qualifier as Caruso’s first round opponent. The opening round match-up would be the second time the rookie and winningest driver in Pro Stock history squared off. In Houston Caruso defeated Anderson in the semifinals on a holeshot to start her career 1-0 against the 99-time Pro Stock winner.
In the first round Caruso had lane choice and was eager to move her career record to 2-0 against Anderson. Unfortunately, Anderson was ready for Caruso and took a starting line reaction time advantage and was able to hold off the hard-charging rookie at the finish line. The margin of victory was just over four hundredths of a second with Anderson’s 6.535 nosing out Caruso’s 6.537 second pass.
“It was good to get back on the track after the long break,” said Caruso. “The guys on the team are still on top of their game. It was good to get back in this Sand Haulers of America Camaro and get back into a rhythm. We were in the simulator a whole bunch and I need to spend more time there. We did some testing last week. We did what we could to stay on top of things.”
Camrie Caruso, photo by Auto Imagery/Gary Nastase
The support Caruso receives from associate sponsors GESI, Right Trailers, Powerbuilt Tools, NGK Spark Plugs and VP Racing Lubricants motivates Caruso to continue to improve. The first year Pro Stock driver has not taken her early success lightly and continues to work on every level of her craft.
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“I don’t have to worry about my car ever,” said Caruso. “The guys give me a race car that I can be 100% confident in every run. Now we just need to fine tune everything together. We gave it our all today. I like to be in the car a whole bunch and not have breaks. I am excited for the seven races in ten weeks.”
In two weeks Caruso will join her Pro Stock competitors at the famed Bristol Dragway for the Thunder Valley Nationals. The rookie driver sits seventh in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Pro Stock point standings.
Qualifying Results
Q1: 6.547 sec, 209.59 mph; Qual. 4
Q2: 6.552 sec, 209.69 mph; Qual. 6
Q3: 9.986 sec, 90.57 mph; Qual 6
Bonus Points: +1 (3rd Quickest of Q2)
Race Results
First Round
Greg Anderson, Mooresville, NC, HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro, 6.535, 210.37 mph def. Camrie Caruso, Denver, NC, Sand Haulers of America Chevrolet Camaro, 6.537, 211.06 mph
Camping World Drag Racing Series Top Ten – Pro Stock
1. Erica Enders 592
2. Aaron Stanfield 484
3. Kyle Koretsky 405
4. Dallas Glenn 366
5. Mason McGaha 352
6. Greg Anderson 343
7. Camrie Caruso 307
8. Bo Butner 274
9. Deric Kramer 270
10. Troy Coughlin Jr 255
About Camrie Caruso/Caruso Family Racing
Camrie Caruso is a third-generation driver with Caruso Family Racing. The 24-year-old Pro Stock rookie is following the career path of her father, former Pro Mod racer Marc Caruso and her grandfather, “Papa Joe” Caruso, who competed in Super Gas, Top Sportsman, and Pro Mod. Racing a Chevrolet Camaro with power provided by Titan Racing Engines Caruso will race the full NHRA Camping World Series schedule as she chases Rookie of the Year honors and her first world championship. She first got behind the wheel of a race car when she was eight years old competing in the NHRA Junior Dragster League. She has continued to move up through the NHRA competition classes for over a decade rising to Top Alcohol Dragster as well as Elite Top Dragster and Pro Outlaw 632 in the PDRA. Caruso has a Finance degree as well as a Marketing degree from SUNY Empire State College. In 2018 she was recognized by Drag Illustrated magazine as a 30 Under 30, drag racing personality. When she is not at the track, she is handling the marketing for Titan Racing Engines.