The 3rd Annual PDRA Spring Nationals in Rockingham, NC marked the debut of the three-car Caruso Family Racing team out of Canandaigua, NY, and when the last race was run they had left their collective mark.

Team driver Ava Lawler, Marc and Jackie Caruso's youngest daughter, took home the win in the PDRA's newest class, the “Bracket Bash”.

The $3,000.00-to-win Bracket Bash will be a part of the sanctioning body’s previously scheduled program at each event. There are nine separate events currently scheduled in 2016.

Based on the win by Ava and the strong showing by Marc Caruso in Pro Boost, as well as Camrie Caruso's efforts in the Bracket Bash, the Caruso Family Racing team has made the decision to run the remainder of the PDRA events this season.

“We really couldn't be happier with our results at the Spring nationals in Rockingham," said team driver/co-owner, Marc Caruso. "Ava won the inaugural Bracket Bash, Camrie missed being perfect on the tree by .001, and I qualified well but lost in the quarterfinals with the car never making a full pass. We fought an ignition gremlin in our Camaro all weekend. Between 2.8 and 3.2 seconds, on each run, the car would begin to shut off and on until the finish line. We have completely rewired the car and replaced all the electronics as well.  We’re hoping that that fixes our problem and will give us an even greater chance to perform to our full potential at the next event in Texas.

"My father Joe and I believe we've got all the right pieces and people in place now to compete in PDRA's stout Pro Boost class," added Caruso. "We can't thank all the guys at Jan-Cen/Mike Janis Racing enough for the amazing car and horsepower they've given us.  We also can't begin to say how grateful we are to John Vouros, Gary DeHey, and Jason Wing for all their hard work at the shop and the track.  Without them we couldn't make any of this happen.”  

Both Camrie and Ava will also be in Texas to compete with their Caruso Family Racing Artistix-sponsored dragsters.