On Saturday, the first-ever NHRA Pro Stock All-Star Callout was hosted by the Route 66 Dragway just south of Chicago in Joliet IL. The specialty event has already become a fan favorite when staged for Nitro classes but the Gerber Collision & Glass NHRA Nationals presented by PEAK Performance at Route 66 raceway marked the inaugural event for the Pro Stock class.
This was the first event for drag racing fans in Chicago since the 2019 pandemic, with four drivers from each of the two dominant Pro Stock teams in the NHRA (Elite Motorsports and KB Titan Racing) featured in an eight-car shootout for big money and bragging rights.
Picks for the Pro Stock Callout
First pick in the Callout went the number one seed Dallas Glenn. Glenn wasted no time in picking multi-time and defending Pro Stock NHRA world champion Erica Enders for his round one matchup. Glenn’s teammate Matt Hartford, who is having an exceptional year in Pro Stock competition, called out Troy Coughlin Jr. for his opening match in the shootout.
Kyle Koretsky, whose family owns the Maple Grove Raceway, was quick to pick Aaron Stanfield for his round one competitor. His father Kenny “Captain Chaos” Koretsky and Aaron's father Greg Stanfield driver/engine builder have had racing partnerships that operate under Koretsky’s Nitro Fish Apparel banner for over a decade of NHRA drag racing. By default, that left Cristian Cuadra in a grudge match against red-hot Camrie Caruso, who double bulbed in the Pro Stock eliminations at Phoenix causing Cuadra to timeout at the tree.
Round One of All-Star Callout
Grudge matches are always unpredictable. The number one seed and first caller for the All-Star shootout Dallas Glenn turned the tree red and lost to Erica Enders who posted a 6.554 elapsed time at 210.11 mph to advance to the semifinals.
The second caller Matt Hartford also conjured a side bet with Troy Coughlin Jr. for bottle of fine of wine that he now owes Coughlin. Hartford posted a faster speed of 210.90 mph but Coughlin Jr. was first off the start and first to the finish line with .024 reaction time and 6.519 ET to Hartford’s 6.531 elapsed time.
Having grown up together in drag racing families, Kyle Koretsky and Aaron Stanfield had a lot of pride on the line but once again the caller came up short at the finish line. Stanfield’s .028 RT was enough for holeshot win over Koretsky. Stanfield posted a 6.532 elapsed time to Koretsky’s 6.559 ET.
Camrie Caruso would eliminate the fourth caller in her Tequila Comisario Chevrolet Camaro with a .033 RT, 6.535 elapsed time at 210.83 mph to defeat her Pro Stock rival. Cuadra got left at the tree with a .136 reaction time and coasted to finish line as the fourth of four callers were eliminated in Round One.
Round Two of All-Star Callout
Aaron Stanfield eliminated his Elite Motorsports teammate with a .032-second reaction time and a 6.527 ET at 209.88 mph. The lady in Red had a decent start with .057 RT but Ender’s slower 6.574-second elapsed time at 208.62 mph ended her hopes of winning the first All-Star Callout for Pro Stock drivers.
The second semifinal round featured two of Pro Stock’s young guns. No doubt that sophomore competitor Camrie Caruso is having an impressive season but Troy Coughlin Jr. is also claiming his spot at the top of heap. Although Coughlin had a slight advantage off the tree, Caruso’s 6.540 ET outpaced Coughlin’s 6.964.
NHRA Pro Stock All-Star Callout Final
The All-Star Callout Final was one of the closest races of the weekend at the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals and a boost for Caruso’s confidence. Caruso posted .024 RT, 6.524 ET at 211.03 mph to Stanfield’s .027 reaction time, 6.525 ET at 210.18 mph.
In addition to bragging rights, 25-year old Camrie Caruso (a second year Pro Stock driver) took home the $28,000 in purse money for winning the first-ever NHRA Pro Stock All-Star Callout at Route 66 as the newest member of the highly competitive KB Titan Racing team.
