Story By: NHRA – POMONA, CA – After a standout debut season in the Pro Stock ranks, Camrie Caruso has been named the 2022 NHRA Rookie of the Year in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series.
Caruso, Top Fuel’s Scott Farley and Funny Car’s Jason Rupert were the eligible candidates for the award, which honors the sport’s top rookie. Caruso enjoyed a standout rookie season in the highly-competitive Pro Stock ranks, qualifying at all 19 races and advancing to the Countdown to the Championship playoffs.
She earned her first No. 1 qualifier in Houston and also advanced to the final round at the event where she joined points leader Erica Enders as part of the first all-female final round in Pro Stock history. In all, Caruso has enjoyed nine round wins in her Powerbuilt Tools Chevrolet Camaro, and celebrated the NHRA Rookie of the Year award at this weekend’s 57th annual Auto Club NHRA Finals in Pomona.
“I am so proud to win this award and it wouldn’t be possible without the support and love from my Poppa, dad and mom,” Caruso said. “We achieved so many of my goals this season from qualifying No. 1 to getting to a final round to qualifying at every national event. We didn’t check all the boxes, but I am very thankful. The competition is so tough out here and to be recognized as the Rookie of the Year is a tremendous honor. Every race this season I feel like we got better, and I am excited to get back on track next season.”
Farley attended five races in the loaded Top Fuel class in 2022, qualifying at two events during the 2022 campaign. He picked up a round win at one of those races, advancing to the second round in Epping, N.H. at the NHRA New England Nationals in June. He also made his quickest and fastest career run at the event.
Rupert also competed in five Funny Car races this season, qualifying for four of them, including twice in Pomona. He also made career-best runs to close out the season, going 4.030 at 313.44 at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.
Dallas Glenn won the NHRA Rookie of the Year award in 2021, while recent winners include current Top Fuel points leader Justin Ashley in 2020 and class standout Austin Prock in 2019.
The NHRA Rookie of the Year award recognizes the top rookie competitor that also represents the future of the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series. Drivers must compete in a minimum of five events to be eligible for the NHRA Rookie of the Year award. The nation’s leading auto racing journalists select the winner through a voting system based on the following criteria: number of events competed in, performance on and off the racetrack, participation in NHRA promotions, and relationships with fans, sponsors, and media.
LUCAS OIL REINFORCES LONG-TERM COMMITMENT WITH MULTI-YEAR EXTENSION
NHRA officials announced today that Lucas Oil Products, the world leader and distributor of high-performance automotive additives and lubricants, will continue as the sponsor of the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series and “Official Oil of NHRA” as part of a long-term extension.
It furthers a premier and lasting partnership that continues to grow after more than two decades, as Lucas Oil remains a cornerstone sponsor and all-encompassing partner of NHRA.
“All of us at Lucas Oil are excited to extend this Partnership with NHRA for another 3 years,” said Brandon Bernstein, Lucas Oil Director of Partnership Marketing. “We know how important the sportsman racers are to Lucas Oil and we want to keep that alive for many years to come. We see NHRA as an amazing property that has potential for massive growth and Lucas Oil is thrilled to be partnered in this journey.”
Along with its longtime title sponsorship of the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, which stars the best and most decorated sportsman competitors in drag racing, and its status as “Official Oil of NHRA,” Lucas Oil is the title rights sponsor for the annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd, Minn., and the historic Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, Calif. The sponsorship also extends to naming rights at historic Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, which plays host to the world’s most prestigious drag race, the NHRA U.S. Nationals.
The company is a partner for some of the top teams in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series as well, including Pro Stock’s Kyle Koretsky, Top Fuel star Antron Brown and others, further showcasing the company’s longtime support in NHRA Championship Drag Racing.
Lucas Oil has also worked closely with drivers and race teams to develop specialized motor oil, gear oil and fuel treatments for racing over the years, leading to the creation of several top-selling products for the brand. Each product was designed to withstand extreme heat and friction, delivering reliable and standout performance in the process.
“We’re proud to continue this amazing partnership of more than 20 years with Lucas Oil, and we want to thank the whole Lucas family for their incredible commitment to drag racing,” NHRA President Glen Cromwell said. “They’ve been a key part of the success for so many drivers and race teams at all levels, and we’re excited to see that relationship continue for many years to come.”
The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series recently announced its 2023 schedule, which includes 45 total divisional events and 25 regional events next year, beginning on Feb. 3-4 at Orlando Speed World Dragway.
