Exiting the NHRA Midwest Nationals Camrie Caruso and the Tequila Comisario Chevrolet Camaro will be looking forward to making a move over the final three Countdown races. The 2022 NHRA Rookie of the Year made the best of two qualifying runs on Friday and Saturday rolling into race day as the No. 10 qualifier. Caruso’s quickest time of 6.582 seconds at 208.39 mph on Friday set her up against Pro Stock veteran Aaron Stanfield, who she most recently raced and defeated in the final round of the first Pro Stock Allstar Callout race at the Gerber Collision & Glass Rt. 66 Nationals in Chicago.
“I felt good heading into the first round even though we didn’t have lane choice,” said Caruso. “This Tequila Comisario Camaro made some consistent runs and I really felt like we were in a great spot. We have been making good runs the past couple of races.”
In the opening round Caruso pulled up beside Stanfield as the second pair of Pro Stock cars. When the tree fired Stanfield took a starting line advantage, but Caruso was right with him as they powered down the track. Caruso’s Camaro made a run that was a little off her best qualifying time while Stanfield’s Camaro picked up. At the finish line it was Caruso with a 6.587 second run just behind Stanfield’s 6.566 second pass.
“That run wasn’t what I was expecting, and I am pretty bummed to be honest,” said Caruso. “We have a team that can compete with anyone out here. Our KB Titan Racing power has been winning races. I am going to try and forget about this weekend. My goal is to make the most out of the last three Countdown races and see what we can do in the points. We have a big gap to try and make up, but I am not going to give up.”
Caruso has had a breakout sophomore season, winning the NHRA Arizona Nationals and the Pro Stock Allstar Callout. She ended the regular season solidly in the Top Ten based on her racing performance and was looking to be a contender for the Pro Stock championship. The third generation drag racer is not out of the championship chase, but she will need to some help to make a serious run.
“I am going to give it my all for Tequila Comisario, Powerbuilt Tools, Big Jeff Audio, VP Racing Lubricants and all our sponsors,” said Caruso. “I love the competition and if I can’t get the championship, I want to be able to take out some of the competition and help a KB Titan Racing team driver get the world championship.”
The Tequila Comisario Chevrolet Camaro will be turning pink at the next race, the NHRA Texas Fall Nationals at the Texas Motorplex, October 12-15, for the Stampede of Speed.
