The final NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series visit to Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler, Ariz., was one for the books.
But even as the series commemorated its extensive history at the drag strip over the weekend and longtime drivers like John Force reflected on their past success in the desert, at Sunday’s end, the winner’s circle featured a pair of faces.
Rising Top Fuel star Justin Ashley and sophomore Pro Stock driver Camrie Caruso managed to stamp their names onto the final page of the Arizona facility’s win list before the plot of land becomes a new overpass and roadway for the Interstate 10 extension next year.
Meanwhile, Funny Car veteran Robert Hight collected his second consecutive and third overall victory at the NHRA Arizona Nationals.
Caruso Secures First Pro Stock Victory
Last year, Caruso defeated Cristian Cuadra in the opening round of eliminations at the Arizona Nationals, marking the first round win of her young career. Over the course of the season, the 23-year-old earned a No. 1 qualifier award, a final round appearance and the rookie-of-the-year award in the Pro Stock class.
During her 21st start and second year of competition in the professional NHRA category, Caruso stormed to victory, becoming only the second woman to win a national Pro Stock event. Reigning champion Erica Enders was the first.
“I’m not going to lie, I wasn’t really sure if I won or not until I pulled off the race track because I like to just focus on going straight,” Caruso said. “My teammates all have wins and No. 1 qualifiers and championships. I just wanted to be able to hold up the name and do good for all of them.”
Caruso is part of the KB Titan Racing stable, alongside five-time champion Greg Anderson, Dallas Glenn and Kyle Koretsky.
Caruso will enter this weekend’s Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip second in points this weekend, while Elite Motorsports’ Troy Coughlin Jr. holds the championship lead.
Ashley Attacks In Arizona
It’s been a bit of an ironic start to the season for Ashley and his Phillips Connect dragster team.
Last year, Ashley began his third Top Fuel campaign by winning the season opener, but then faltered at the next round in Arizona. It’s been the opposite vibe for Ashley this season. He made a first-round exit at the AMALIE Motor Oil Gatornationals two weeks ago at Gainesville (Fla.) Raceway, but returned with a vigor in the Arizona desert.
He defeated Tony Schumacher, Mike Salinas, Steve Torrence and Shawn Langdon en route to the winner’s circle.
“It sets the tone for the year,” Ashley said of his win. “You know you’ve got to start strong, but you’ve also got to finish strong especially with the Countdown format. We learned last year that it may be more important to be able to finish strong, but just learning, growing and winning definitely helps us to collect some momentum.”
The 28-year-old’s finish moved him from 11th to fourth in points.
Four-time Top Fuel titlist Torrence leads the standings, while Salinas and Leah Pruett complete the top three. Defending champion Brittany Force experienced another early exit on elimination day — she was defeated by Pruett in the second round — and left Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park seventh in points.
Record Crowds For NHRA
After selling out the stands at Florida’s Gainesville Raceway for the season-opening Gatornationals on March 11, NHRA announced another sellout crowd on Saturday at the Arizona Nationals.
“It’s a huge thrill to see this passionate fanbase come out and show this kind of tremendous support,” NHRA President Glen Cromwell said on Saturday. “They’ve already helped make this a memorable weekend in Phoenix.”
The series will roll into its third round of the 22-race season this weekend at the In-N-Out Burger Pomona (Calif.) Dragstrip on March 30-April 2.