POMONA, CA (April 1, 2023) — For the second time in her young career, Pro Stock rising star Camrie Caruso raced to the No. 1 qualifier at an NHRA national event. On the strength of her Friday afternoon pass of 6.518 seconds at 211.79 mph, during round one of qualifying for the NHRA Winternationals at In-N-Out Pomona Dragstrip Caruso will lead the Pro Stock field into eliminations tomorrow. Caruso and the Powerbuilt Tools Chevrolet Camaro will face Steve Graham in the first round. The 2022 NHRA Rookie of the Year will bring momentum into the race looking to keep her win streak alive after her victory last weekend at the NHRA Arizona Nationals.
Camrie Caruso and Powerbuilt Tools Chevrolet Camaro, photo by SR Driven Media
“We’re really excited to be number one heading into Sunday,” said Caruso. “We wanted to win the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge, but hopefully we’ll have another shot at it in Vegas. We’ll just focus on winning the race tomorrow. I think we’ll be just fine. My guys are really smart. They know what they’re doing. We were number one coming in today and we didn’t really need to kill it on the performance side. It was way different than it was yesterday. We will be just fine tomorrow.”
The last time Caruso was No. 1 was her fifth start of her rookie year and she raced to the final round at the SpringNationals in Houston. After winning in Phoenix last weekend Caruso has confidence and a strong race car going into race day at the Winternationals.
Camrie Caruso, No. 1 qualifier at NHRA Winternationals, photo by SR Driven Media
“I was really calm on Sunday in Phoenix,” said Caruso, from the Shav Glick Media Center. “I’m just going to continue to try and stay calm and not let anything rattle me. We’re just going to focus on the win lights.”
During the first session of qualifying today Caruso was upset in the opening round of the Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge racing veteran Matt Hartford. Last weekend Caruso got the win light but today Hartford got to the finish line stripe first, then went on to win the Challenge and its $5,000 top prize. In her losing effort Caruso posted the quickest losing time and earned an important championship bonus point.
“We wanted to get that Mission #2Fast2Tasty Challenge win, but we will definitely take that championship point,” said Caruso. “Those points will add up and we just want to give this Powerbuilt Tools Chevrolet Camaro race car every advantage we can. I am excited for tomorrow and going after my second Pro Stock win.”
Final eliminations will begin for Pro Stock at noon with the race being televised on FS1.
AUSTIN PROCK, 27, Montana Brand / Rocky Mountain Twist DragsterQualifying:10th; 4.273-seconds; 189.76 mphBonus Qualifying Points:0
BRITTANY FORCE, 36, Flav-R-Pac / Monster Energy DragsterQualifying:1st; 3.712-seconds; 328.86 mphBonus Qualifying Points:+3 (quickest Q1)
JOHN FORCE, 73, BlueDEF PLATINUM Chevrolet Camaro SSQualifying:9th; 4.162-seconds; 230.61 mphBonus Qualifying Points: 0
ROBERT HIGHT, 53, Auto Club Chevy Camaro SSQualifying:3rd; 3.892-seconds; 329.99 mphBonus Qualifying Points:+1 (third quickest Q1) 
Erica Enders”When you dream about how you want your season to go, you never imagine starting out the way we have this year. But I’ve learned that each season writes its own story and I’m excited to change the momentum in an aggressive way at Pomona. Last year we won this event for the first time ever and our team loves to get those repeat wins.”
Aaron Stanfield”We didn’t get the result we wanted in Phoenix, but our team is working hard to get us back in the spot to win. We are ready to try again this weekend in Pomona.”
Troy Coughlin Jr.”I have always loved the history of drag racing and Pomona is where it all began. It’s an honor just to get to compete there and I’ve had a lifelong goal to win there as well. Team Yellow is still hungry and focused and our minds are all set on making great laps. My Uncle Mike is racing in Top Alcohol Dragster this weekend and is the defending event champion from last year, so I’m excited to get to cheer him on as well!”
Bo Butner”We are going to a track that has been a great track to our race team, in multiple classes. So this team is looking forward to it!”
Fernando Cuadra Sr.”The Cuadra Boys are getting better and stronger at each event. I’m so proud of my sons as we continue to all learn together.”
Fernando Cuadra Jr.”After the Phoenix race, we left feeling confident that we have a great race car and it’s continuing to improve. I’m really excited because even though I know that winning may be a big target, I’m confident that we can win some rounds in Pomona.”
Cristian Cuadra”After Phoenix (where C. Cuadra was the No. 1 qualifier), I feel really motivated. I have a good race car and a team that is helping me every single round to reach my goals. Pomona is a new opportunity to show who we are as a team and all of the Elite-Cuadra cars are ready to turn on win lights on Sunday.”
Jerry Tucker”I learned a lot last weekend in Phoenix and I think going into another race without any downtime in between is going to help me apply what I’ve learned and get more successful passes under my belt.”
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