Rajah Caruth Makes History at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Credit: LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 01: Rajah Caruth, driver of the #71 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, celebrates after winning the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Victoria's Voice Foundation 200 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 01, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
With his Craftsman Truck Series win at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Rajah Caruth made history Friday night. Along with Hall of Famer Wendell Scott and Bubba Wallace, Caruth is now the third African-American driver to win a race in one of NASCAR’s national touring series.
“I'm just pretty speechless. You know, it's been a tough journey so far and a lot of people have helped me get to this point and think of every single one of one of y'all and definitely, ups and downs. But, this journey has been fruitful at times and testing at times. I'm just super grateful for Mr. H (Rick Hendrick), because he's the only reason why I got in this thing full time.
“This winter, it was a lot of uncertainty about where I'd be driving not having a bunch of funding behind me at the time. I just stayed true to my faith and my family and fortunately, a lot of people who just put a lot of stuff together for me to be in this spot. So, I'm glad I made the most of it tonight and be locked into the playoffs.”
Growing up in Washington, D.C., Caruth started out on iRacing, but was never really sure this day would come.
“Man, it was a lot of days, especially in high school, that I did not think I could get here. I can't tell you how many times I was at my internship in my junior year working at the GW, it’s like their basketball court in the box office and just working on my website when I was just iRacing. A lot of those days I didn't think this would be at all possible.
“I just got to thank my dad and my mom, my sister, just because they've sacrificed a lot to move me to North Carolina to be a product of the NASCAR driver diversity program. So, shout out to them you know Max Segal and NASCAR for believing in me from jump, just because I think a lot not a lot of people did. But, hopefully they start now.”
Credit: LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 01: Rajah Caruth, driver of the #71 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, celebrates with a burnout after winning the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Victoria's Voice Foundation 200 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 01, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
From the very beginning, Caruth’s family supported his desire to race. Making his first win all the more special was that his mom and dad were at the race to experience it with him.
“Yeah, you know, I'm really glad that both my parents are here, especially, my dad. I know my sister’s watching, too. Because they've been my rock since my dad took me to my first race. Really, both my parents did, with my late granddad, and got me that first experience and really enabled me to put in the work and chase the dreams of living by myself in North Carolina.
“I can't imagine for for a mom and for a dad to send their 18 year old kid to a completely different culture, a completely different lifestyle to live on on his own, work at a race shop and be in a completely different environment.
“But, I'm glad they're here. And they've been with me every step of the way. And that's honestly a blessing I've really had is having my parents, my sister, a lot of really good, close friends and others that have helped elevate me and help me during the tough times. And help me celebrate for the good ones.”
Credit: LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 01: Rajah Caruth, driver of the #71 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, (L) and Kyle Busch, driver of the #7 Group 1001 Chevrolet, talk on the grid during practice for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Victoria's Voice Foundation 200 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 01, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
A senior at Winston-Salem State, Caruth is on track to graduate at the end of the year. As someone who wasn’t born into the sport, what would he tell other kids from similar backgrounds that would like to be in his shoes someday?
“Well, I think for me, it's not easy, right? And if you think it's going to just wake up and be in front of you, it’s not. But you just got to put in the work right? And listen. Emphasis on listen, because, I think about my first years, racing on iRacing and learning how to be fast on there and then making a lot of mistakes.
“Honestly, it was kind of the same when I started in real life and I just listened to people that wanted to help me. I put in the work, the late nights, early mornings, showing up and I caught some breaks for sure.
“But I'd say to those kids, because I know it's a lot that are out there, that were in similar spots as me, that y'all can do it. It’s just got to put in the work and pay attention and just do the right thing and it'll work out.”
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