With full season of Pro Stock experience , Camrie Caruso is primed for sophomore success By Nate Van Wagnen

“ I think it went really well ,” Caruso says of her first season , where she competed under the Titan Racing Engines umbrella . “ We were a new team with new people , new products , new everything . To put it all together and qualify [ at all 19 races ] and do as well as we did , I think it went really well .”

Caruso ’ s biggest weekend of the season came early in the year at the final NHRA SpringNationals at Houston Raceway . She qualified No . 1 in just her fifth race , tying 2021 Rookie of the Year Dallas Glenn as the quickest driver to earn their first career No . 1 qualifier in Pro Stock . Caruso then raced through eliminations to meet Erica Enders in the final round , marking the first time two women raced head-to-head in Pro Stock history .

As the season wrapped up , Caruso was named the 2022 NHRA Rookie of the Year . She joined past Pro Stock honorees like Kurt Johnson ( 1993 ), Mike Edwards ( 1996 ), Jeg Coughlin Jr . ( 1998 ), Gene Wilson ( 2002 ), Jason Line ( 2004 ), Drew Skillman ( 2015 ), Tanner Gray ( 2017 ), and Glenn .

“ It was really special because you just see how many people have accomplished it and who has accomplished it ,” Caruso says . “ It felt really special to be able to be a part of that group .”

Caruso noted early in the season that her goals were bold : qualify No . 1 , win races , and win the championship . Tuner Jim Yates , a Pro Stock veteran as both a former driver and team owner as well as crew chief , was quick to temper Caruso ’ s expectations . Her own experiences throughout the season also helped her readjust her outlook .

“ I ’ ve learned that you kind of have to roll with it because your plan is not really how your season ’ s gonna go ,” Caruso said . “ Things change and you have to roll with it and make the best of it and continue to be thankful .”

With just days left in 2022 , Caruso announced that she will race with the newly formed KB Titan Racing team this season . Titan Racing Engines owner Eric Latino partnered with fellow Pro Mod driver Jim Whiteley to purchase KB Racing from Ken Black , who retired at the end of last season . The two North Carolina-based shops have since combined resources , forming a megateam , KB Titan Racing , that includes some of the brightest mechanical minds and most talented drivers .

“ I learned so much from Jim [ Yates ] on the driving side of things ,” Caruso says , “ and I am looking forward to continuing to develop with the guidance from crew chiefs Rob Downing and Dave Connolly as well as my new teammates , Greg Anderson , Kyle Koretsky , and Dallas Glenn .”

The constant from last season to this season will be continued support from Caruso ’ s family and a slew of marketing partners .

“ Last year was an amazing and challenging rookie season and I am looking forward to growing my relationship with Powerbuilt Tools , Tequila Comisario , Right Trailers , VP Racing , and some new marketing partners we ’ ll be announcing soon ,” Caruso says . “ We ’ re excited and we ’ re going to prepare for a really successful season , hopefully .” DI

PHOTOGRAPHS BY NHRA AND RICK BELDEN

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