DENVER, NC (June 22, 2022) — As Pro Stock competitor Camrie Caruso’s rookie season speeds towards the halfway mark the 24-year-old driver is looking forward to racing at a track where she has enjoyed early career success. Summit Motorsports Park has been the scene of Caruso Family Racing victory celebrations in a variety of classes that all led up to Caruso’s head-turning Pro Stock rookie success. The rookie of the year contender will be racing the Kings of Vapor Chevrolet Camaro representing the 10-year-old large brick and mortar retail chain, with a complete online store as well, that prides itself on customer service. As a vapor store, not a tobacco shop, they stock a wide selection of vapes, juice, and accessories.
“I have raced at Norwalk a bunch and I am excited to have Kings of Vapor on my Camaro this weekend,” said Caruso. “I won there in Top Alcohol Dragster and I have raced my 632 car there. My dad has won there in Pro Mod so I really enjoy Norwalk. The fans have always been great and I am looking forward to racing my Kings of Vapor Chevrolet Camaro Pro Stock car this weekend.”
Through seven races this season Caruso has qualified for every national event and her qualifying efforts have landed her in the top half of the field every race except for a No. 9 start during the Las Vegas Four-Wide Nationals. She earned her first career No. 1 qualifier at the SpringNationals in Houston, just her fifth professional race, and that same weekend she raced to her first career final round. Last weekend at the Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol, Tennessee, Caruso had one of the quickest cars on the property qualifying No. 2 and racing to the quarterfinals.
The young driver is looking forward to getting back behind the wheel of her 210 mph Pro Stock Camaro this weekend at the Summit Racing Equipment Nationals in a few days. For a rookie driver, seat time is one of the most valuable commodities.
“I like back-to-back races honestly,” said Caruso, who is the favorite to earn Rookie of the Year honors this season. “I like it because I am in the car consistently. Being out of the car for over three weeks is tough for a new driver. I feel like we have something to improve on right away. I am getting input and advice from my crew chief Jim Yates every run so the sooner I can put that information to good use the better.”
The Caruso Family Racing operation has built a solid base of marketing partners mainly thanks to the hard work Camrie put in between races and at the track. In addition to support from Kings of Vapor Caruso’s race team has the support of GESI, Sand Haulers of America, Powerbuilt Tools, NGK Spark Plugs, VP Racing Lubricants, and Right Trailers.
“I have a lot of great marketing partners. We are working to get them exposure and help them build their businesses,” said Caruso. “At the track I spend a lot of time on the ropes signing autographs and talking about Powerbuilt Tools or VP Racing Lubricants or any of our other sponsors. We are also hosting guests at the races and looking to build up our hospitality program. We are a brand-new team so there is so much that goes into just getting to the races and succeeding. I am having a lot of fun but this is also a full-time job.”
Caruso’s passion is obvious at the track and her driving skills have continued to improve under the tutelage of Pro Stock world champion driver and tuner Jim Yates. The veteran has brought a wealth of experience and insight to the team. Yates’ contributions combined with the impressive engine power of Titan Racing Engines have allowed Caruso to concentrate behind the wheel and on the starting line.
“I get more confident every race,” said Caruso, who has advanced to at least the quarterfinals four times this season. “I know I have a great race car thanks to Titan Racing Engines, Jim and our whole crew. This is a great team effort and for as new as our team is we are having success but we still have a lot to learn. We are only going to get better and that is the most exciting part about the rest of the season.”
The Kings of Vapor Chevrolet Camaro will be back on track this Friday for two qualifying sessions followed by two more qualifying sessions on Saturday. Final eliminations will begin at 11 a.m. ET on Sunday with FOX broadcasting the race at 3 p.m. ET.