After three consecutive NHRA Countdown races Rookie of the Year front runner Camrie Caruso has maintained her position in the Top Ten and will exit the NHRA Midwest Nationals sitting in ninth place tied with veteran Bo Butner. Keeping her qualifying streak alive Caruso has started every race this season and this weekend she entered race day as the No. 10 qualifier facing Matt Hartford for the first time in eliminations. Earlier this season at the pre-season test session in Arizona Caruso made her first side-by-side run behind the wheel with Hartford.
Today with playoff points on the line Caruso pulled up alongside Hartford, who was looking to move up in the Top Ten and pick up his second win of the season. Caruso was also focusing on winning and solidifying her position as one of the rising stars in NHRA. The Sand Haulers of America Chevrolet Camaro, which gets its power from Titan Racing Engines, had made three respectable qualifying runs Friday and Saturday recording times of 6.556, 6.544 and 6.553 seconds to prepare for the first round.
Both Pro Stock Camaros executed their burnouts and rolled the pre-stage beams. Each driver took their time and Caruso rolled into stage and Hartford followed a few seconds after. The engines revved and Caruso hammered the throttle and the young driver leapt off the line. Unfortunately, she was .040 seconds early resulting in a redlight disqualification.
“I knew I needed to get off the line first and I just missed it a little bit,” said Caruso. “I am learning a lot in the Countdown and I have to keep telling myself this is the first time I am doing so many things. I have a great team behind me with this Sand Haulers of America Chevrolet Camaro. Jim Yates is a great teacher and this is not easy out here. I am going to put this race behind me and take the positives with me to the next race in Dallas.”
Throughout this season Caruso has been leaning on the veteran leadership of Yates, a former Pro Stock world champion, as well as support from her family led by her father Marc and grandfather Papa Joe. The third-year generation driver continues to develop both on and off the track as a Pro Stock professional.
“I am making the most of this opportunity thanks to marketing partners like Sand Haulers of America, Tequila Comisario, NGK/NTK, VP Racing Lubricants and Powerbuilt Tools,” said Caruso. “We have three more races in my rookie season and we are going to make the most of this experience. We are holding our own in the Top Ten and our goals for this season have not changed.”
Qualifying Results
Q1: 6.556 sec, 210.64 mph; Qual. 10
Q2: 6.544 sec, 207.37 mph; Qual. 9
Q3: 6.553 sec, 210.28 mph; Qual. 10
Bonus Points: 0
Race Results
First Round
Matt Hartford, Phoenix, Ariz., Total Seal Chevrolet Camaro, 6.537, 211.79 mph def. Camrie Caruso, Denver, NC, Sand Haulers of America Chevrolet Camaro, redlight – DQ
Camping World Drag Racing Series Top Ten – Pro Stock
1. Erica Enders 2427
2. Aaron Stanfield 2307
3. Kyle Koretsky 2274
4. Troy Coughlin Jr 2270
5. Greg Anderson 2267
6. Dallas Glenn 2257
7. Matt Hartford 2233
8. Mason McGaha 2125
9. Camrie Caruso 2117
9. Bo Butner 2117
11. Deric Kramer 2095
Elon Werner PR
