Last year in just her second career Pro Stock race Camrie Caruso picked up her first win light at the NHRA Arizona Nationals. That round win gave the rookie loads of confidence that carried her through a strong rookie campaign that included a No. 1 qualifier a few weeks later in Houston and her first final round appearance at the same national event. At the end of the season Caruso was crowned NHRA Rookie of the Year and now the second year pro is looking to return to the site of her first win light with her sights set on securing her first win. Caruso will be wheeling her Powerbuilt Tools Chevrolet Camaro with a new team and crew chief.
“Last year we qualified in the top half of the field at the Winternationals to start the season and then got our first win light at the Arizona Nationals,” said Caruso, a third generation drag racer. “I can’t explain the feeling of seeing that win light come on at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park last year. So much time and energy went into just getting our team organized to race last year. I am looking forward to getting back with my new KB Titan Racing team and turning on even more win lights this weekend.”
Over the off-season Caruso jumped at the opportunity to join KB Titan Racing and become a teammate with multi-time Pro Stock world champion Greg Anderson, 2021 NHRA Rookie of the Year Dallas Glenn and second-generation driver Kyle Koretsky. The new alliance has freed up Caruso’s time to focus even more on improving her driving skills and building her marketing team of supporters. One of her biggest backers, Powerbuilt Tools, will be on her Chevrolet Camaro for multiple races starting this weekend. Caruso will not just be promoting the outstanding tool brand but also promoting CAWA, a non-profit trade association, representing automotive parts manufacturers, jobbers, warehouse distributors, retailers and program groups. The Association was formed in 1955 and serves as the voice of the aftermarket parts industry in the West, i.e., Arizona, California and Nevada. CAWA prides itself on quality customer service to its members and the industry.
“Powerbuilt Tools is a great company to be associated with and our relationship is about more than selling tools,” said Caruso, who made multiple appearances for Powerbuilt Tools in the off-season. “Through their relationship with CAWA we are helping provide scholarships and career opportunities for people all over Arizona, Nevada and California. They are doing great things to encourage women to get involved in motorsports at all levels. There are so many opportunities beyond driving and working on race cars and CAWA is doing great things to promote this with the support of Powerbuilt Tools.”
Last year Caruso experienced firsts at every NHRA national event on her way to her Rookie of the Year honors. To celebrate her accomplishments Caruso is teaming up with NHRA announcer Jason Galvin to spend time at each NHRA national event talking to fans about what they can expect from an NHRA national event if they are first time attendees. The free stage show will take place on Friday at 3 p.m. on the Nitro Alley stage in the pit area. Aptly named “Just the Basics with 2022 Rookie of the Year Camrie Caruso” will give fans the chance to hear about what is going on at the Arizona Nationals as well as behind the scenes stories from the reigning rookie of the year.
“I am looking forward to participating in the Just the Basics stage show with Jason,” said Caruso. “I learned so much last year and I want to help our fans understand everything that is going on at the races. There is so much to see and do if I can help a fan have a better experience I want to help them out. This is something new and hopefully fans will enjoy hearing some cool and sometimes funny stories.”
On the track Caruso will be looking to continue to develop as a driver and race her Powerbuilt Tools Chevrolet Camaro Pro Stock car to round wins on Sunday. She will get her first shot at the track on Friday night during the opening day qualifying run. On Saturday Caruso and the Pro Stock class will get two more qualifying runs before the 16 quickest Pro Stock competitors race on Sunday for the coveted NHRA Wally. The race will be nationally televised on FS1 throughout the weekend.
This story was originally published on March 23, 2023. 
