Michael SatterfieldOn a cloudless spring afternoon at a racetrack that smells like burnt rubber and ambition, Camrie Caruso slips behind the wheel of her NHRA Pro Stock car like she’s done it a thousand times before—because she has. But there’s something deeper behind the fire suit and sponsor patches: a legacy, a chip on her shoulder, and a refusal to be defined by anything but the scoreboard.
At just 27, Caruso has already lived more lives than most. Granddaughter to the legendary “Papa Joe” Caruso and daughter of seasoned racer Marc Caruso, Camrie was practically born in the staging lanes. Her earliest memories aren’t of playgrounds or birthday parties—they’re of pit lanes, burnout smoke, and the Caruso Racing Team.
“Just being at the track watching my dad race,” she says. “Wanting to be in a race car myself—that’s the whole reason for my passion.”
That passion, inherited and honed, has driven her from Junior Dragsters through Top Alcohol Dragsters and into the most competitive class in professional drag racing: NHRA Pro Stock. It’s a world of thousandths-of-a-second margins and unforgiving machinery. And in 2023, Camrie made her mark with a historic first Pro Stock win at the Arizona Nationals.
“It was extremely awesome and special,” she recalls, with a casual coolness that belies the gravity of the moment. “I seriously think it was the best day of my life.”
Her journey, though, hasn’t been defined just by podium finishes or record-setting speed. It’s been carved out in the quiet hours—learning from her family, getting through injuries, and shaking off every slight and doubt hurled her way.
Camrie Caruso: Racing in Her Blood
There’s no mistaking that Caruso’s story is one of legacy. Papa Joe and Marc Caruso weren’t just racing hobbyists; they were tacticians, competitors, and mentors. But Camrie isn’t content with being a third-generation racer—she’s rewriting what it means to carry that surname.
“They are very methodical and practical,” she says of her father and grandfather. “They give me tips and tricks on how to achieve all the goals I have for myself.”
It’s not about following in anyone’s footsteps—it’s about making her own marks on the asphalt.
Is Racing Still A Man’s World?
Much has been made in the media of Camrie being just the second woman to contest a full season in NHRA Pro Stock, but if you ask her, that detail is secondary.
“Honestly, I don’t think of it like that,” she says. “I think of it as just another person in the class. The cars don’t know gender.”
It’s a sentiment rooted not in defiance, but in practicality. To survive and thrive in drag racing, you need thick skin, quick reflexes, and deep pockets. That’s true no matter what your pronouns are. And yet, Camrie still acknowledges the importance of representation. She admires trailblazers like Erica Enders and Angelle Sampey—both multi-time champions who’ve proven women belong at the top of the sport.
“I think [female representation] is constantly growing and improving,” she says. “And I love that for the motorsports world.”
Crashing—and Climbing Back
But not everything in racing is clean shifts and champagne. In Phoenix, in 2024, Caruso crashed hard—breaking her leg and sidelining her for part of the season. The physical recovery was grueling. The emotional toll? Even worse.
“It was difficult to watch everyone go race without me,” she admits. “But I used it as a time to get in the best shape I could—and to find extra funding.”
That silver-lining mindset is quintessential Camrie Caruso. She’s built like the sport she loves: fierce, forward-moving, and never idle for long. Her comeback was swift and confident. She returned to the track at the U.S. Nationals and didn’t miss a beat.
“I wasn’t nervous,” she says. “I was so thankful I could come back that same season.”
Brains Behind The Wheel
While Caruso’s grit is self-evident, there’s another side of her arsenal that’s less visible but just as critical: business savvy. A graduate of SUNY Empire State College with degrees in Business Finance and Marketing, Camrie understands that in today’s NHRA, racing is as much about marketing as mechanics.
“I say this all the time—college is not real life,” she says. “Yes, having degrees goes a long way. But life and experiences are where it matters.”
In an industry that survives on sponsorship dollars, Camrie Caruso knows that charisma, relationships, and ROI talk louder than trophies.
“Relationships and business-to-business is how it all goes round,” she says. “Finding what they need is where you will succeed.”
Her approach is strategic—more CEO than daredevil. It’s a mindset that helps her navigate sponsorship deals, build brand partnerships, and keep her team on the road. After all, winning races is expensive. And making it to the next one often depends on who’s paying the fuel bill.
The Pressure Cooker
Drag Racing at over 210 miles per hour doesn’t leave much room for error—or fear. When asked how she prepares for those high-pressure moments, Camrie’s answer is disarmingly simple.
“I just focus on what I have to do and block out all the rest.”
It’s this almost zen-like clarity that allows her to thrive in the Pro Stock ranks, where the margin for error is often smaller than the thickness of a credit card.
And when it comes to critics—those who doubt her, dismiss her, or question her seat at the table—Camrie Caruso has a policy:
“If it doesn’t change my life, why waste any energy on it?”
Zero Balance, All In
Life outside of racing? Don’t ask.
“I have zero balance,” she laughs. “I’m awful at this. LOL!”
It’s the kind of honest, self-deprecating candor that fans love her for. And make no mistake—her fans mean everything to her.
“You meet soooo many different people,” she says. “They are everything to my journey—because without them, we don’t have a demographic to offer.”
In an age where driver personalities are as valuable as their reaction times, Caruso understands the importance of connection. Whether it’s shaking hands in the pits, sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses on social media, or showing up to charity events, she knows racing is as much about people as it is about performance.
Looking Forward
So what’s next for the woman who’s already climbed through the ranks, broken barriers, and come back stronger from injury?
“Short term? Race full-time again with proper funding,” she says. “Long term? Championships.”
It’s a bold, clear-eyed vision from a driver who’s never taken the easy road. She also hasn’t forgotten the next generation. When asked what advice she’d give young girls wanting to break into motorsports, her response is as grounded as it is empowering.
“Make relationships with people. Treat everyone how you want to be treated. Leave personal life out of business.”
It’s advice that applies on the track and off.
The Caruso Legacy, Redefined
At the end of the day, Camrie Caruso isn’t just trying to win races—she’s trying to carry on a family legacy, and leave one of her own.
“That hard work will pay off,” she says. “And that it does matter.”
There’s no bravado when she says it. Just certainty. Because when you’ve been in the fire, driven through doubt, and come out the other side faster than before—legacy isn’t just a goal. It’s a promise.
Follow Camrie Caruso on Instagram or visit her official website to follow her racing career.
Photos Courtesy of Caruso Racing
