Josh Hart has announced that Camrie Caruso will be the Top Alcohol Dragster pilot for his Fearless Racing team for the 2021 season. Caruso is already familiar with Top Alcohol Dragster. 

She previously competed in the category for Randy Meyer Racing. In 2019, Caruso won her first Top Alcohol Dragster win at the Norwalk Divisional when she defeated Will Smith at the 13th annual Cavalcade of Stars presented by Budweiser at Summit Motorsports Park. 

“I’m really excited,” Caruso said. “I know the car chief [Adrian Long] really well and he’s amazing at what he does. I know Josh is a great person and he has great equipment. The team works really well together. I get to driver for a very good team.

“Adrian was awesome at Randy’s. I’m sure that it’ll be the same over at Josh’s. He really knows what he’s doing with all aspects of the car. I know that I’m going to have a safe and competitive car -- and I know that they’re going to take care of it.” 

The opportunity for Caruso to compete in Hart’s operation came following the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series North Central Division event at National Trail Raceway in Hebron, Ohio. This event recently happened in July.

“It was relatively quick,” Hart said. “I was looking to keep the program going. I wanted to keep the program going without me driving it. She has had experience with other people, but she didn’t seem satisfied. Winning is great, and Fearless Racing is known for winning. We’re also known for having a good time at the race track and keeping it a family atmosphere. 

“This is a lifestyle -- and you can’t beat yourself up when things don’t go your way. She’s the same way and believes this is a lifestyle, while also having fun and winning some races. With Camrie wanting to step into A/Fuel and with me moving into Top Fuel, it was too much to ignore.” 

Hart is looking at this as a positive, not a negative. 

“I’m not sad to step out,” he said. “To be very candid with you, I was looking at this as an opportunity with the birth of my daughter. I was looking at it as a positive, not a negative. Camrie is hungry and this is a great opportunity for her. Now, she’ll be able to step into some top of the line stuff. I think she’ll be happy. I still enjoy hanging out in the Alcohol pits, but I’m looking forward to running Top Fuel.”

Hart is expected to make his Top Fuel debut in 2020 with Bob Vandergriff Racing. 

The plan for Caruso during the 2021 season is to compete in Division 1 in the Divisional scene, while competing in national events. With the move, she’s going to compete against two championship contenders Duane Shields and Jackie Fricke regularly in Division 1. 

“That’s the plan right now,” she said. “I’m excited. It’s important to have good competition. It makes you a better racer in the long run. I’m excited to see how it all plays out.”

The plan is to start their 2021 season in March at either the Baby Gators or the Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway in Gainesville, Florida. The plan at this time is to do at least 15 races. 

“If there is an opportunity to do more, we’ll do more,” Caruso said. “If there’s not, then we’re just going to stick to 15. We’re going to see how the season plays out. I know we’re going to split it pretty evenly, so maybe eight national events and seven Divisionals. It’ll all depend on how we’re doing in the chase for the championship.”