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.

“I just tried to think of that first round as just another qualifying run,” said Caruso, who won in the Top Alcohol dragster ranks. “I was a little nervous, but I tried to put that out of my mind.”

Both cars launched and Brogdon got a slight jump off the starting line, but Caruso was right beside him down the quarter mile track. As both cars closed in on the finish line Caruso’s Powerbuilt Tools Camaro sashayed just slightly and Caruso smartly lifted, crossing the finish line just after Brogdon. It was not the outcome Caruso was looking for but the experience she picked up of the past three days will stay with her as she heads to Phoenix next weekend for the second race of the season.

“I think when you look at this whole weekend this Powerbuilt Tools team did really well,” said Caruso, who will leave Pomona No. 10 in the points. “We made some big strides and we just have to take the positive from this race to Phoenix and beyond. We made good runs every pass and we made full runs. I think this team did a great job.”

“Our biggest take away headed to Phoenix is we want to keep making good runs and just get that first win light in Arizona. We tested in Phoenix, but I think the national event will have a different feel. I am looking forward to getting back out there,” added Caruso.

Qualifying Results

Q1: 6.563 sec, 209.69 mph; Qual. 8

Q2: 6.566 sec, 210.90 mph; Qual. 8

Q3: 6.553 sec, 207.43 mph; Qual 7

Bonus Points:  0

Race Results

E1:  Rodger Brogdon, Tomball, Texas, Rooftec Owens Corning Chevrolet Camaro, 6.627, 208.23 mph def. Camrie Caruso, Denver, NC, Powerbuilt Tools Chevrolet Camaro, 6.988, 148.59