LAS VEGAS (March 29, 2022) — Every driver’s rookie year is full of ups and downs. Every track presents challenges and opportunities. This weekend at the NHRA Las Vegas Four-Wide Nationals Pro Stock rookie standout driver Camrie Caruso will have her hands full navigating a new racetrack and four-wide racing for the first time. So far in the early stages of her rookie campaign the 24-year-old driver from Denver, North Carolina, has risen to every challenge. She will be driving with new primary sponsors this weekend as her Titan Racing Engine powered Chevrolet Camaro will be adorned with colorful branding representing Air Flow Research (AFR) SCAT Crankshafts and Procar by SCAT.
“We have been talking with the team at Air Flow Research, SCAT Crankshafts and Procar by SCAT about getting involved with our program for a while,” said Caruso, who has qualified at all three NHRA national events in 2022 and advance to the quarterfinals the past two races. “They are the aftermarket go-to seat for Chevrolet Camaros so this relationship was literally a perfect fit. When you add in the backing of Air Flow Research and SCAT Crankshafts with their long history in Pro Stock, I could not be more excited to represent these companies.”
After three national events Caruso has established herself and her Caruso Family Racing team as quality competitors with strong horsepower under the hood. The performance of her Titan Racing Engine power has qualified the rookie driver in the top half of the field every race. Her elapsed times have dropped at every race and with two weeks off to regroup the team is eager to get to the high-performance racing surface The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway offers.
“I can’t say enough about the team of guys I have behind me from Titan Racing Engines,” said Caruso. “I have a lot of confidence in this Chevrolet Camaro every time we pull it up to the starting line. As a young driver I am working on my performance every time we make a run. I want to get better as a driver because I know I have a race car that can win rounds if I do my job. That is a testament to Titan Racing Engines and my crew chief Jim Yates.”
Two weeks ago at the historic Gatornationals Caruso had to battle the elements like the rest of her professional competitors. With only one qualifying session the pressure was on everyone to make the most of their lone shot at the track. The team came right out of the trailer with a career best run of 6.516 seconds at 210.70 mph. In the opening round of eliminations on Sunday they stepped up even more with both ends of career best marks getting another win light on a run of 6.491 seconds at 213.10 mph. It took the lowest elapsed time of the second round to end Caruso’s day and have her turn her focus to the unique four-wide nationals.
“I am looking forward to the challenges of four-wide racing,” said Caruso, a third generation NHRA driver. “I know there will be a lot going on, but I am just going to stay calm and do my own thing. I like the fact you have a chance to advance even if you are not the first to the finish line. I plan on getting their first, but this style of racing is a little forgiving which makes it unique for us”
Since Caruso came onto the scene this season, she has been one of the busiest drivers and marketers on the NHRA circuit. To bring more awareness to her partners she has rotated several companies as primary sponsor on her Camaro Pro Stock race car. Last weekend she was in Ft. Worth, Texas, at the Keystone “Big” Show displaying the Air Flow Research (AFR) SCAT Crankshafts and Procar by SCAT Camaro and representing her sponsor VP Racing Lubricants.
“It’s so important to promote off track as well as at the track,” said Caruso. “We have so many amazing sponsors any chance I get to talk about their products or their initiatives I want to make sure I am available. The Big Show was a great experience and I was really glad we were able to show off this weekend’s race car as well.”
Qualifying for the Las Vegas Four-Wide Nationals will begin on Friday and Saturday with two sessions each day at 12:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Final eliminations will begin on Sunday, April 3, at 12:00 p.m. with three quads of racing action.
About Camrie Caruso/Caruso Family Racing
Camrie Caruso is a third-generation driver with Caruso Family Racing. The 23-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.