Caruso Family Racing
Success at Historic Gatornationals Next Step for Rookie Camrie Caruso
DENVER, CO – After a weekend away from the racetrack Pro Stock rookie driver Camrie Caruso is ready to continue chasing her first NHRA 
professional victory this weekend at the historic NHRA Gatornationals. The 24-year-old from Denver, North Carolina, will be racing a new look Right Trailers Chevrolet Camaro with Titan Racing Engine power under the hood. In her first two events Caruso has qualified in the top half of the field twice and at the NHRA Arizona Nationals she raced to the quarterfinals recording her first round win in just her second professional start. This was the fastest win light in competition for any female Pro Stock driver in history.
“March is women’s history month, so it was cool to make a little history of our own getting that win light in our second race,” said Caruso, who defeated Cristian Cuadra in the first round. “The NHRA has had so many amazing women competitors. I am proud to be out here competing against the Pro Stock guys with Erica Enders and other NHRA professional women drivers like Leah Pruett, Alexis DeJoria and Brittany Force.”
CAMRIE CARUSO TAKES FIRST ROUND WIN IN PHOENIX
PHOENIX, AZ – Pro Stock driver Camrie Caruso continued to make positive strides in her rookie season securing her first round win in only 
her second professional start today at the NHRA Arizona Nationals. Through two days of qualifying Caruso drove her Powerbuilt Tools Chevrolet Camaro to the No. 8 qualifier spot, her second consecutive top half qualifying effort. In the opening round she had lane choice over up and coming driver Cristian Cuadra. The 23-year-old racer from Denver, North Carolina was confident in her team and the Titan Racing Engine power under her hood.
Caruso and Cuadra were the first pair of Pro Stock race cars to hit the track. The race was Caruso’s from the start as she got a jump off the starting line and drove her Camaro to victory with a winning elapsed time of 6.538 seconds at 210.08 mph over Cuadra’s slower Ford Mustang. Caruso never trailed in the drag race and became just the third female in history to win a round in NHRA Pro Stock competition.
“The round win was good and exciting,” said Caruso. “I am glad we got that out of the way. I have a great team with Mike Smith and the engine program, Jim Yates as my crew chief and the support of all my family. That kind of support has definitely helped the program move forward.”
VP RACING FUELS’ ENGINE OILS DEBUT AT NHRA PRO STOCK WITH CAMRIE CARUSO TEAM
San Antonio, TX – VP Racing Fuels, Inc., regarded worldwide as the leader in racing and performance fuel, announced two debuts at the 
NHRA Winternationals in Pamona, CA. VP sponsored driver Camrie Caruso and her team made their debut in NHRA Pro Stock, and VP’s racing motor oil made its NHRA debut in Camrie’s engine.
“We are excited to have Camrie Caruso and her team running on VP Racing Motor Oils’ 0 wt. oil” said Freddie Turza, Technical Manager at VP Racing Fuels. “Camrie and team had a terrific first outing at the NHRA Winternationals, qualifying in the top half of the ultra competitive Pro Stock field! For 45+ years, VP has been at the forefront of race fuel development, and now our lubricant division has established a new standard in developing performance lubricants. Working with Championship engine builders like Mike Smith and Steve Johns sets us apart from other lubricant companies.”
“We made so many positive strides at the Winternationals I could not be more excited for this season,” said Camrie Caruso. “We qualified in the top half of the field, and we made improvements every run with our Powerbuilt Tools Chevrolet Camaro. We’re in the Top Ten headed to the Arizona Nationals, and our goal is to move up even higher. Having VP Performance Lubricants join our team is a huge step forward. The benefit our team gets on and off the track from VP is tremendous, and I am excited to be representing them in 2022,” added Caruso.
PRO STOCK’S CAMRIE CARUSO HAS STRONG DEBUT AT WINTERNATIONALS
POMONA, CA – After a strong weekend at the NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, California, Pro Stock rookie standout Camrie Caruso 
wrapped up her first professional national event with a solid qualifying effort and an encouraging first round result. On Friday and Saturday Caruso’s Powerbuilt Tools Chevrolet Camaro was one of the most consistent Pro Stock race cars on the property. She made three consecutive runs between 6.553 and 6.653 seconds and qualified No. 7 in a tough field.
Going into her first national event the 23-year-old driver from Denver, North Carolina, faced a first round match-up with veteran Rodger Brogdon. During driver introductions Caruso received a warm reception from the fans in the crowd and quickly began preparing for her professional debut. Her crew chief Jim Yates, a world championship driver in his own right, gave Caruso some final instruction before the first round. As the No. 7 qualifier Caruso and Brogdon were the second pair of Pro Stock competitors to hit the track.
Both cars executed textbook burnouts and as they staged Caruso began mentally gearing up for her first official round of professional eliminations. The weight of the moment was not too much for the young driver as she nosed her Chevrolet Camaro into the staging beams.
ROOKIE CAMRIE CARUSO QUALIFIES No. 7 at NHRA WINTERNATIONALS
POMONA, CA – In her debut NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series national event rookie Pro Stock driver Camrie Caruso showed she 
will be a serious contender for not just NHRA Rookie of the Year honors but also inclusion in the Countdown to the Championship. Driving the Powerbuilt Tools Chevrolet Camaro, the racer from Denver, North Carolina, made three solid passes in the 6.55-6.56 second range to qualify No. 7 at the 62nd NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. Her best run came in the final session on Saturday and lit up the scoreboard in 6.553 seconds at 207.43 mph. Caruso will have lane choice against veteran driver Rodger Brogdon in the first round.
“This weekend has been crazy and fun,” said Caruso, a third generation drag racer. “We have learned a ton just in those three passes. This Powerbuilt Tools Chevrolet Camaro has been consistent and so smooth. I have to thank my family and my team including crew chief Jim Yates for giving me a great race car. I am excited to get to the race tomorrow.”
Caruso was in the first pair of Pro Stock racers to hit the track on Friday when she laid down the eighth quickest pass of the session. It was a monumental moment for the young driver who has raced her way up the ladder in NHRA competition. Her qualifying time of 6.563 seconds at 209.69 mph was nearly duplicated on Saturday morning when she ran 6.566 seconds. Her 210.90 mph run this morning was the fastest speed recorded in qualifying over Friday and Saturday.
PRO STOCK ROOKIE CAMRIE CARUSO EXCITED FOR PROFESSIONAL DEBUT AT WINTERNATIONALS
POMONA, CA – After months of testing and preparing NHRA Pro Stock rookie driver Camrie Caruso will make her professional debut this 
weekend at the NHRA Winternationals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. Driving the Powerbuilt Tools Chevrolet Camaro Caruso, a third-generation racer, will hit the track for the first qualifying session on Friday afternoon at the famed racetrack located just outside Los Angeles.
The young driver who lives in Denver, North Carolina, has worked her way up the drag racing ranks over the last fifteen years starting in the junior dragster ranks and moving up through the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. Last year during the Texas Fall Nationals Caruso announced her plans to become just the second female in the modern era to compete full-time in one of the most competitive professional class the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series has to offer. She announced Powerbuilt Tools as her primary sponsor to start the season in January and now the 23-year-old is one of the favorites for rookie of the year honors.
“I am excited to get my rookie year of Pro Stock started and I really appreciate Powerbuilt Tools coming on board for my first two races as a primary sponsor,” said Caruso, who was recognized in 2018 as a 30 Under 30 member by Drag Illustrated magazine. “Powerbuilt Tools will be an associate sponsor the rest of the season. I have a lot of confidence in my racecar knowing it will be put together and serviced between rounds with their tools. I am excited to get the season started and take the experience I have picked up in testing to an actual race.”
Camrie Caruso Racing Renews NGK Spark Plugs as Associate Sponsor
Denver, NC – NHRA Pro Stock rookie Camrie Caruso and NGK Spark Plugs announced an associate sponsor partnership today aligning one 
of the most innovative spark plug brands to one of the emerging stars of the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series. NGK Spark Plugs have been affiliated with Caruso Family Racing for years going back to Marc Caruso’s Pro Mod career. They began working with Camrie when she was in Top Dragster to A Fuel Dragster and into last season. The marketing partnership will officially begin at the 2022 NHRA Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals, February 17-20.
“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with NGK Spark Plugs,” said Caruso, a favorite for the 2022 NHRA Rookie of the Year award. “Everyone at NGK has supported me throughout my career. NGK Spark Plugs will really help get our rookie season off to a great start and we are excited to continue to represent their brand. I can’t wait to get to Pomona and see what our Powerbuilt Tool Chevrolet Camaro can do. This is a dream come true for me.”
With over 80 years of automotive expertise, NGK Spark Plugs and their other brands have been driven by extreme dedication to performance and quality. From OEM to aftermarket, their team pushes the boundaries of innovation to bring the latest technologies to market under the NGK, NTK and WVE brands.
The 23-year-old Pro Stock rookie, daughter of former Pro Modified racer Marc Caruso and granddaughter of “Papa Joe” Caruso, who raced in Super Gas, Top Sportsman and Pro Mod, brings much more to the competitive table than just a great racing pedigree.
POWERBUILT TOOLS TO RIDE WITH PRO STOCK ROOKIE CAMRIE CARUSO IN POMONA AND PHOENIX
DENVER, NC – Pro Stock rookie Camrie Caruso will begin her NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series professional career with a lot of 
power under the hood and all over her Jerry Haas-built Chevrolet Camaro. With new crew chief Jim Yates calling the shots Caruso will start the historic Winternationals and Arizona Nationals with California-based Powerbuilt Tools as her primary sponsor. During both national events Caruso’s Camaro will sport the Powerbuilt Tools logo and the team will host VIPs representatives at the races.
“I am excited to get my rookie year of Pro Stock started and I really appreciate Powerbuilt Tools coming on board for my first two races as a primary sponsor,” said Caruso, who was recognized in 2018 as a 30 Under 30 member by Drag Illustrated magazine. “Powerbuilt Tools will be an associate sponsor the rest of the season. I have a lot of confidence in my racecar knowing it will be put together and serviced between rounds with their tools.”
Headquartered in Cypress, California, Powerbuilt Tools are recognized for their high quality, innovative and durable tools. They offer best in class tools and equipment that deliver quality, innovation and durability to automotive professionals and enthusiasts. For 40 years they’ve produced consistent quality, performance and value to earn the trust of tool users.
Pro Stock Rookie Camrie Caruso Announces Fan Club with Founding Member Contest
DENVER, NC – NHRA Pro Stock driver and 2022 NHRA Rookie of the Year candidate Camrie Caruso today launched a brand-new website 
(CamrieCaruso.com) and a unique Fan Club opportunity for her growing legion of fans. The Fan Club Founding Member program launched January 1 and will run through January 31.
“We are so excited to get the 2022 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing season started we wanted to do something extra special for our fans,” said Caruso. “We love all our fans and wanted to give our Fan Club Founding Members a special offer that is more than just a t-shirt. The lifetime discount on merchandise is something no one else has offered and we are looking forward to hosting fans in our pits as crew members throughout the season. This is going to be an amazing year and we can’t wait to get to Pomona and get started.”
Fans who become a Founding Member for $34.99 will receive a limited-edition t-shirt and a collectible hero card. Additionally, they will receive a code good for a lifetime 10% discount on Camrie Caruso merchandise orders from CamrieCaruso.com only. Founding Members will also be the first to hear all team and driver announcements and updates.
CARUSO FAMILY TAPS YATES AS PRO STOCK CREW CHIEF
Two-Time Former NHRA World Champion Will Prep Camaro for Camrie Caruso
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Third generation drag racer Camrie Caruso’s bid to shake up NHRA Pro Stock racing as just the second woman to race for the season championship got a big boost Friday with the announcement that Jim Yates will serve as crew chief on the 2022 Caruso Family Racing Camaro in which she will debut next February at the Lucas Oil Winternationals in Pomona, Calif.
“I am thrilled to have Jim Yates as my crew chief for my rookie season,” said Caruso. “We have a strong team and Jim’s years of experience will only make us stronger. Having a crew chief that has driven as well as tuned these race cars is a huge advantage and one that I am looking forward to taking full advantage of starting at the Winternationals.”
Yates, 68, is a two-time former NHRA Pro Stock World Champion (1996 and 1997) who made a virtually seamless transition from driver to crew chief after selling his auto parts business in 2000 and climbing out of the cockpit for the last time in 2009.
“I want to bring my knowledge and experience to this team to make them the best they can be, said Yates. “I have worked with a variety of drivers with differing experience levels and it helps to have that background. Working with that variety of drivers and also having the experience with a diverse number of power packages is really important to a start-up team in my opinion.”
