Rajah_Caruth

Rajah Caruth

Rajah Caruth

American racing driver (born 2002)

Rajah Kirby Caruth (born June 11, 2002) is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 71 Chevrolet Silverado for Spire Motorsports. On March 1, 2024, Caruth won the 2024 Victoria's Voice Foundation 200, becoming the third Black driver to win in one of NASCAR's three national series, joining Wendell Scott and Bubba Wallace.

Quick Facts Born, Achievements ...

Racing career

Early career

Rajah first got his love for racing after watching Disney Pixar's Cars as a kid. When he was 12, his parents surprised him with a trip to the NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway in September.[1] In 2018, while juggling from school, basketball, track, and a summer job, Caruth and his family fundraised an iRacing sim, and once he turned 16 on June 11, he began racing virtually in the eNASCAR Ignite Series.[2] Rajah was able to catch the attention of the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Program, which resulted in him having a shot to race in a legends car at Charlotte Motor Speedway in 2019 for the Bojangles' Southern Shootout. Rajah ended his rookie season getting two top 10s, and ending up 13th in the Semi-pro points.[3]

Late models

In 2020, Caruth moved up to the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series, where he won his first career late model race at Greenville-Pickens Speedway, and ending the rest of the season with 3 top 5s and 9 top 10s in a total of 19 late model starts.[4] In 2021, Caruth returned to the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series, and got his second and third late model win after winning both Hickory Motor Speedway late model features. On May 1, 2021, Caruth won at the Tri-County Motor Speedway, becoming the first African-American driver to win at Tri-County, and earning his fourth overall late model win.[5][6]

ARCA

On February 3, 2021, Caruth announced that he would run full-time in the ARCA Menards Series East for Rev Racing, and will compete for Rookie of the Year honors. Caruth was able to finish off the season with 2 top 5s, 3 top 10s, and 3 top 15s, ending up third in the standings.[7] He made a one off start in the 2022 General Tire 125, starting 5th and finishing 4th. He ran three more races that season, which were are all combination races with the main series.

On July 23, 2021, Rev Racing announced on Twitter that Caruth and teammate Nick Sanchez will drive in the 2021 Shore Lunch 150 at Iowa Speedway, which will be Caruth's first ARCA Menards Series start. Caruth started 12th and finished 9th.[8]

Caruth made his ARCA Menards Series West start in the 2021 Arizona Lottery 100, where he started and finished the race in 8th. He made his second start in the 2022 General Tire 150, driving in the paired event with the main series. He started 7th and finished 4th.

On August 30, 2021, Caruth announced that he will drive full time in the 2022 ARCA Menards Series season with Rev Racing.[9] He earned his best career finish at the 2022 Dutch Boy 150, finishing 2nd.[10] After earning eight top fives and fourteen top tens throughout the season, he finished 3rd in the final standings.[11]

Xfinity Series

Caruth at Auto Club Speedway in 2023

2022

On August 30, 2021, along with the ARCA announcement, Tommy Joe Martins and Caesar Bacarella announced the formation of Alpha Prime Racing, that will compete in the 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Series season, with Caruth set as one of the drivers for the team.[12] On April 2, 2022, Caruth made his Xfinity Series debut at Richmond Raceway in the 44.[13] He started 22nd and finish 24th.[14] He made his second start in the 2022 A-GAME 200, where he qualified an impressive 15th.[15] Suspension issues ended Caruth's race on lap 58, and he finished dead last.[16] At the Pocono race, Caruth was involved in a vicious wreck with Alex Labbé on the first lap, resulting in another last place finish.[17] At Kansas, Caruth switched to the No. 45 car, sponsored by iRacing. He finished 25th after the race ended after stage 2 due to inclement weather. He earned his first top 20 finish at Las Vegas, after finishing 20th in the race.[18] At Martinsville, Caruth dodged numerous wrecks and finished 12th, earning his best career finish in the Xfinity Series. After the race, he had an altercation with Jeb Burton.[19]

2023

On January 27, 2023, Caruth announced that he would return to Alpha Prime Racing for the 2023 season, running another partial schedule.[20] He earned his best finish of 12th at Martinsville, surviving a crash-filled race.[21] On September 26, it was announced that Caruth would drive the No. 17 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports in the season finale at Phoenix Raceway.[22] Caruth consistently ran near the top ten throughout the race, and was in contention of earning his first top ten, until he got put into the wall by John Hunter Nemechek on the final lap, ultimately finishing 14th.[23]

Craftsman Truck Series

2022

On May 31, 2022, it was announced that Caruth would make his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut at the World Wide Technology Raceway for Spire Motorsports.[24] In his first start, Caruth initially finished in 10th, after the caution came out on the final lap. He was later scored in the 11th spot.[25] At Richmond, Caruth started 28th and finished 25th, four laps down.[26] At Bristol, Caruth was involved in an accident with Josh Reaume on lap 34, eventually retiring from the race ten laps later.[27]

2023

On December 1, 2022, TobyChristie.com reported that Caruth will drive full-time in the Truck Series in 2023, driving the No. 24 truck for GMS Racing. It was also reported that The Wendell Scott Foundation will sponsor Caruth for part of his 2023 season.[28] On December 6, it was officially confirmed that Caruth will drive for GMS Racing in 2023.[29] After a rough start to the season with three DNF's, Caruth earned his best career finish of 6th at Darlington Raceway in May.[30] Caruth continued to struggle throughout the regular season, and failed to make to playoffs. During the playoffs, Caruth improved his performance, earning three top ten finishes with a worst finish of 14th. He finished the season 16th in points, and 4th in Rookie of the Year standings.

Caruth's race winning truck at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 2024.

2024

On February 7, 2024, it was announced that Caruth will drive for Spire Motorsports full-time in the 2024 season, driving the No. 71 truck.[31] On the final lap of the season-opener at Daytona, Caruth drifted up the racetrack at the exit of turn two, spinning out Jack Wood and collecting numerous trucks. Despite this, Caruth managed to earn a best career finish of 3rd.[32][33] The following week, he earned an 8th place finish at Atlanta. On February 28, it was announced that HendrickCars.com will sponsor Caruth for all 23 races of the season, after previously announcing they would sponsor for 10 races.[34] At Las Vegas, Caruth scored his first career win, becoming only the third African-American driver to win a NASCAR national series race.[35]

Personal life

Caruth was born in Atlanta, Georgia to a Vincentian father and a Vincentian-Barbadian mother,[36] but was raised in Brooklyn, New York, and Washington, D.C. In June 2020, he was the subject of a NASCAR documentary, "Through the Fences," which aired on Tempo Networks. It talks about Caruth's racing career and how he was accepted into the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program. He was also featured in an episode of "The Family Business" on BET+ in July.[37] He graduated from the School Without Walls High School in 2020, and is currently a senior at Winston-Salem State University, studying in motorsport management.[38] On December 27, 2022, it was announced that Caruth would join Richard Petty on NASCAR's float in the 2023 Rose Parade.[39] He is good friends with fellow driver Bubba Wallace, who serves as his mentor during the races.[40] In 2023, Caruth was the subject of another documentary, Outside Line, which premiered on November 9th during the Doc NYC Festival.[41]

Motorsports career results

Stock car career summary

More information Season, Series ...

† As Caruth was a guest driver, he was ineligible for championship points.

NASCAR

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

Xfinity Series

More information NASCAR Xfinity Series results, Year ...

Craftsman Truck Series

More information NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series results, Year ...

* Season still in progress
1 Ineligible for series points

ARCA Menards Series

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led. ** – All laps led.)

More information ARCA Menards Series results, Year ...

ARCA Menards Series East

More information ARCA Menards Series East results, Year ...

ARCA Menards Series West

More information ARCA Menards Series West results, Year ...

CARS Late Model Stock Car Tour

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led. ** – All laps led.)

More information CARS Late Model Stock Car Tour results, Year ...

References

  1. [1]
    Martinelli, Michelle (February 19, 2023). "How 20-year-old HBCU student Rajah Caruth went from virtual racing to NASCAR". USA Today. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  2. [2]
    Baxter, Kevin (February 22, 2023). "Inside Rajah Caruth's transformation from gamer to rising NASCAR driver". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  3. [3]
    Bembry, Jerry (March 19, 2020). "Meet Rajah Caruth, the 17-year-old eyeing a NASCAR career and a driver's license". Retrieved August 2, 2021.
  4. [4]
    "Rajah Caruth wins first career Late Model race". NASCAR.com. October 3, 2020. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  5. [5]
    "Rajah Caruth sweeps Hickory Late Model features". NASCAR.com. April 17, 2021. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
  6. [6]
    "Rajah Caruth earns hard-fought win at Tri-County, looks to capitalize at Nashville Fairgrounds". revracing.net. May 3, 2021. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
  7. [7]
    "Rajah Caruth, Nick Sanchez To Compete In ARCA As Part Of NASCAR Drive For Diversity Class". arcaracing.com. February 3, 2021. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
  8. [8]
    "(Twitter post)". Twitter. Rev Racing. July 23, 2021. Tomorrow, @Nicksanchez080 and @rajahcaruth_ head to @iowaspeedway to race in the #ShoreLunch150! Catch the action at 9PM EST on @_TrackPass or on @MAVTV!
  9. [9]
    Kristl, Mark (August 30, 2021). "Nick Sanchez, Rajah Caruth Running Full ARCA Schedule in 2022". Frontstretch. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
  10. [10]
    Carr, Tolly (May 14, 2022). "Rajah Caruth has career best finish at Kansas race". HBCU Gameday.
  11. [11]
    "Rajah Caruth - 2022 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference.info. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  12. [12]
    Estrada, Chris (August 30, 2021). "Alpha Prime Racing to make Xfinity debut in 2022". NBCSports.com. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  13. [13]
    Gaither, Steven (March 28, 2022). "Rajah Caruth to race with Virginia State as theme at Richmond". HBCU Gameday. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
  14. [14]
    Gaither, Steven (April 2, 2022). "Rajah Caruth finishes in top 25 in debut". HBCU Gameday. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
  15. [15]
    Carr, Tolly (April 26, 2022). "Rajah Caruth gains new sponsor for Xfinity ride". HBCU Gameday. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
  16. [16]
    Beard, Brock (April 30, 2022). "XFINITY: Rajah Caruth makes the highlight reel at Dover before early suspension issues". LASTCAR. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
  17. [17]
    Beard, Brock (July 23, 2022). "XFINITY: Rookie mistake leads to Rajah Caruth's brutal Lap 2 crash with Labbe at Pocono". LASTCAR.info. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  18. [18]
    "Rajah Caruth gets top 20 finish at Las Vegas". HBCU Gameday. October 15, 2022. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  19. [19]
    Srigley, Joseph (October 29, 2022). "Video: Jeb Burton, Rajah Caruth Have Heated Discussion Post-Race at Martinsville". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  20. [20]
    Srigley, Joseph (January 27, 2023). "Rajah Caruth Tapped for Part-Time Xfinity Schedule with Alpha Prime Racing in 2023". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  21. [21]
    Eggert, Seth (October 28, 2023). "Caruth Thankful for Lessons Learned at Alpha Prime". Kickin' The Tires. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  22. [22]
    "Rajah Caruth, Boris Said join Hendrick Motorsports' Xfinity team for upcoming races". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. September 26, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
  23. [23]
    "Caruth nabs top-15 finish in No. 17 Xfinity entry". HendrickMotorsports.com. Hendrick Motorsports. November 5, 2023. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  24. [24]
    "Rajah Caruth to make Truck Series debut with Spire Motorsports at Gateway". NASCAR.com. May 31, 2022.
  25. [25]
    Nebbia, Michael (June 1, 2022). "Rajah Caruth Attempting Truck Debut At Gateway". Frontstretch.com. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  26. [26]
    "Rajah Caruth gains valuable experience in Richmond truck race". HBCU Gameday. August 14, 2022. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  27. [27]
    Christie, Toby (September 15, 2022). "Video: Josh Reaume Spins, Rajah Caruth Piles Into Him Early at Bristol". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  28. [28]
    Srigley, Joseph (December 1, 2022). "SOURCES: Rajah Caruth Tapped to Compete Full-Time in GMS Racing No. 24 Truck in 2023". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  29. [29]
    Long, Dustin (December 6, 2022). "Truck Series: Rajah Caruth joins GMS Racing". NASCAR Talk | NBC Sports. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  30. [30]
    Eggert, Seth (May 12, 2023). "Rajah Caruth Earns First Career NASCAR Truck Top-10 at Darlington". Kickin' the Tires. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
  31. [31]
    "Rajah Caruth to drive for Spire Motorsports in Truck Series". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. February 7, 2024. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  32. [32]
    Carr, Tolly (February 17, 2024). "Rajah Caruth finishes third at Daytona season opener". The Charlotte Observer. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  33. [33]
    Srigley, Joseph (February 16, 2024). "Video: Taylor Gray Launched Skywards in Gnarly Last-Lap Accident at Daytona". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  34. [34]
    "HendrickCars.com extends partnership with Rajah Caruth, Spire Motorsports for full NCTS season". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media. February 28, 2024. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  35. [35]
    Spencer, Reid (March 1, 2024). "Rajah Caruth gets historic Truck Series victory at Las Vegas". NASCAR. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
  36. [36]
    "Rajah Caruth building toward NASCAR career, racing toward history". Indiana Daily Student. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  37. [37]
    Morales, Wilson (July 29, 2020). "Exclusive: Aspiring Driver Rajah Caruth On Going From iRacing To Entering NASCAR Drive for Diversity Development Program". BlackFilmandTV.com. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
  38. [38]
    "Off The Track - Rajah Caruth". rajahcaruth.com. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
  39. [39]
    Newby, John (December 27, 2022). "NASCAR Embraces Multiple Eras With Rose Parade Float". Heavy.com. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
  40. [40]
    Howard, Jonathan (February 23, 2024). "Rajah Caruth dismisses Bubba Wallace controversy from Daytona: 'It wasn't anything serious'". On3.com. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  41. [41]
    Melillo, Justin (November 26, 2023). "Rajah Caruth taking the Outside Line in evolving professional racing career, stemmed from iRacing". iRacing.com. IRacing. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  42. [42]
    "Rajah Caruth – 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
  43. [43]
    "Rajah Caruth – 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  44. [44]
    "Rajah Caruth – 2022 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  45. [45]
    "Rajah Caruth – 2023 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  46. [46]
    "Rajah Caruth – 2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  47. [47]
    "Rajah Caruth – 2021 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
  48. [48]
    "Rajah Caruth – 2022 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 5, 2022.
  49. [49]
    "Rajah Caruth – 2021 ARCA Menards Series East Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  50. [50]
    "Rajah Caruth – 2022 ARCA Menards Series East Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
  51. [51]
    "Rajah Caruth – 2021 ARCA Menards Series West Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  52. [52]
    "Rajah Caruth – 2022 ARCA Menards Series West Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
  53. [53]
    "Rajah Caruth – 2022 CARS Late Model Stock Car Tour Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
Share this article:

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article Rajah_Caruth, and is written by contributors. Text is available under a CC BY-SA 4.0 International License; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.