After a two week layoff Camrie Caruso and the Sand Haulers of America Chevrolet Camaro rolled into Bristol Dragway looking to build momentum heading into the summer. The Caruso Family Racing team continued to show strong performance numbers with their Titan Racing Engine power plant. On Saturday they showed they were going to be a tough competitor on race day posting two of the quickest runs of the day. In Q2, the first run of Saturday, Caruso lit up the scoreboard with a 6.644 second pass that jumped the Denver, North Carolina resident from seventh to second in the qualifying order. She also earned two qualifying bonus points and to close out qualifying she posted the quickest run of the third session, a strong 6.652 second pass to earn three more qualifying bonus points and lock her in as the No. 2 qualifier.
In the first round she took on veteran driver Chris McGaha for the first time in her career. McGaha was first off of the line but Caruso was right beside him and moved around him by the time they got sixty feet down track. She never relinquished the lead and advanced to the quarterfinals with a winning elapsed time of 6.636 seconds, her quickest run of the weekend. Her run was able to earn lane choice over her second round opponent Dallas Glenn.
In a battle between two drivers that will be the future of Pro Stock Caruso was facing her second first time opponent of the day. The reigning Rookie of the Year, Glenn, squared off with Caruso who is the favorite for this year’s top rookie honor. Caruso had a mechanical issue that dramatically impacted the elapsed time on her run and she was forced to watch as Glenn pulled away for the win light.
“I feel like we have the fastest car here. Our car is consistently number one to the 60 (foot marker) and number one from half-track on. The guys are doing such a great job. My lights are more consistent. There are a lot of positives but losing sucks,” said Caruso, who will hold onto the No. 7 spot in the point standings. “Dallas is a great racer, so it makes me a better racer to go up against him. I want to be rookie of the year and have a great season. I started the season racing a lot of the same people. It is a challenge to race different drivers which is good for me.”
The Sand Haulers of America Chevrolet Camaro will be back in action in five days at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio.
Qualifying Results
Q1: 6.713 sec, 202.48 mph; Qual. 7
Q2: 6.644 sec, 204.23 mph; Qual. 2
Q3: 6.652 sec, 203.49 mph; Qual 2
Bonus Points: +5 (2nd quickest of Q2 and quickest of Q3)
Race Results
First Round
Camrie Caruso, Denver, NC, Sand Haulers of America Chevrolet Camaro, 6.636, 205.07, 211.06 mph def. Chris McGaha, Odessa, Texas, Harlow Sammons Camaro,6.736, 204.17 mph
Second Round
Dallas Glenn, Mooresville, NC, Rad Chevrolet Camaro, 6.688, 205.54 mph def. Camrie Caruso, Denver, NC, Sand Haulers of America Chevrolet Camaro, 13.570, 61.48 mph
Camping World Drag Racing Series Top Ten – Pro Stock
1. Erica Enders 690
2. Aaron Stanfield 607
3. Kyle Koretsky 482
4. Dallas Glenn 439
5. Greg Anderson 401
6. Mason McGaha 383
7. Camrie Caruso 369
8. Bo Butner 306
9. Deric Kramer 302
10. Fernando Cuadra Jr 300
Elon Werner PR
