Rajah Caruth gaining momentum in 25 NASCAR season
Rajah Caruth, a rising star in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, is making waves both on and off the track in 2025. Driving the No. 71 Chevrolet Silverado for Spire Motorsports, Caruth secured a commendable third-place finish at the SpeedyCash.com 250 at Texas Motor Speedway on May 2. The race, extended to 174 laps due to two overtimes, saw Caruth navigate through intense competition to clinch his second top-five finish of the season
Beyond his racing achievements, Caruth's journey is deeply rooted in his academic and cultural background. In December 2024, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Motorsports Management from Winston-Salem State University (WSSU), an HBCU in North Carolina. WSSU is notable for being the only HBCU in the nation to offer such a program. Caruth's commitment to education while pursuing a demanding racing career exemplifies his dedication and resilience.
Caruth's ascent in NASCAR is also significant in the context of diversity in motorsports. He is among the few Black drivers to have won a national series race, joining the ranks of Wendell Scott and Bubba Wallace. His participation in NASCAR's Drive for Diversity program has been instrumental in his development, providing opportunities to hone his skills and compete at higher levels
As the 2025 season progresses, Rajah Caruth continues to demonstrate his prowess on the track and his commitment to representing HBCUs in the racing world. His journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring drivers from diverse backgrounds, highlighting the importance of perseverance, education, and representation in sports.
The post Rajah Caruth gaining momentum in 25 NASCAR season appeared first on HBCU Gameday.
Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Bill Elliott still keeps an eye on Chase's performance, offers feedback
Chase Elliott does not want to 'barely get into' NASCAR Cup playoffs Chase Elliott, comfortably above the NASCAR playoffs cutline but without a win in 2025, wants to avoid points racing late in the NASCAR Cup Series regular season.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Jeffrey Earnhardt making most of limited Xfinity schedule in 2025
The last name Earnhardt has coincided with NASCAR since its infancy. Jeffrey Earnhardt is the only driver with the legendary last name currently scheduled to compete in a national series event in 2025. Earnhardt's schedule consists of only three Xfinity Series races with Sam Hunt Racing, two of which have already passed, most recently finishing 19th last weekend at Nashville Superspeedway. Advertisement RELATED: Jeffrey Earnhardt's career NASCAR stats 'You hope to put good runs together to help the case of selling sponsorship,' Earnhardt told at Nashville. 'It's not easy with just three races, but it helps. 'I love driving race cars. It scratches my itch for that adrenaline rush that I seek. If I could, I'd race every single day out of the week, but it takes a lot of money to do it at a competitive level.' Longtime sponsor ForeverLawn is continuing to support Earnhardt's efforts in 2025, and the two sides decided where to compete. Management from the synthetic turf company enjoys superspeedway competition, so Talladega Superspeedway led off the slate. He nearly won in a ForeverLawn No. 3 machine for Richard Childress Racing at Talladega in 2022 after scoring the pole. His No. 24 Toyota blew an engine and finished 32nd during the 2025 contest. Advertisement The firm also has business in Nashville, naturally putting the 1.33-mile oval on the calendar. The final race was an internal debate between Daytona International Speedway and Bristol Motor Speedway. Earnhardt prevailed with his option of Bristol, where he will race when the series returns to the track Sept. 12 (7:30 p.m. ET, The CW, PRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). 'We had a fast car with Sam [Hunt] last year there and should have had a good finish, and the driver lacked on his part there and put it in the fence,' Earnhardt said. 'I wanted to go back to Bristol and get some redemption.' Since Earnhardt ran the bulk of the 2023 Xfinity schedule with Alpha Prime Racing, he has positioned himself to be more selective with what organizations he races for. Quality over quantity is the same route he opted for in 2019, running seven races with powerhouse Joe Gibbs Racing. Advertisement Staying competitive remains a core theme. 'Three races is just enough to stay on the radar,' Earnhardt said. 'If you go out and put together good runs, it escalates that. It is important for me as a driver to stay in the tune of things and go out and be competitive. 'Being able to be out there as much as you can is nice. At some point, there has to be some competitiveness there and putting together good runs. That's why we stuck with Sam's deal, even though we only had enough money for three races. I felt like it was a better opportunity for us to capitalize on it.' William Sawalich, in the No. 18 Toyota, races next to Jeffrey Earnhardt in the No. 24 Toyota during a NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Talladega Superspeedway. Earnhardt is on his third stint with SHR, dating back to 2022. Team owner Hunt sees the value that Earnhardt brings to the team. Advertisement '[Earnhardt] brings appreciation and perspective that he has because of his age and journey through the sport,' Hunt said. 'He is a guy that won't quit. I love that about him. I think there are opportunities, and even times on the sponsorship side, where there's no real way forward for him. He's relentless. 'Everyone likes working with Jeffrey. In a world where some people don't appreciate these opportunities, he's a team player, and it's fun for us.' Away from the track, Earnhardt has taken advantage of additional downtime. Being an avid outdoorsman, he can be found in the woods hunting, on a lake fishing or participating in his favorite hobby of noodling. To Earnhardt, these activities 'keep me sane in this hard battle of trying to find money.' Earnhardt admits it takes a few laps to shake off the rust once he's back behind the wheel. Meanwhile, two of his six top-10 finishes in 176 series starts have been driving one of SHR's cars. Being in the Toyota family is important for the 35-year-old. Advertisement 'I really enjoy being in the Toyota camp,' Earnhardt said. 'I'm not, by any means, one of their drivers, but being a part of the Toyota family and what they have to offer for us as drivers makes my life easier when I do get to the track. 'I think from now on, it has to be good equipment, and you have the chance to go out and run top 10. I'm hard on myself. I like to set the bar high and beat on myself a little bit and strive for more.' Earnhardt won't underestimate his ultimate goal: winning. Regardless, he's helped an upstart SHR team build a notebook for future races. MORE: Xfinity Series schedule Should the right full-time opportunity open up, Earnhardt is hoping to jump at it as he's lived through this story before. Advertisement 'It's constantly turning rocks over and trying to find the almighty dollar that it takes to run out here competitively,' Earnhardt said. 'You can continue to cold call, ask, beg and find ways to get [business-to-business] opportunities to where you see value in being involved in NASCAR.' Earnhardt is open to the challenge, something Hunt appreciates. 'He doesn't have an ego,' Hunt said. 'If you don't have an ego and tackle it with a good effort and attitude — even if it doesn't work out the way you want it to — you can put your head to sleep at night and know you did everything and treated everybody right. We just care about him. I think that's why he's still with us because we care about him as a person.'
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Raiders 2025: Dont'e Thornton Jr. a prototypical throwback
Standing 6-foot-5 with 4.30-flat speed, wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. is a throwback to the prototypical player the Raiders would've drafted based soley on size and speed. | Photo by Robin Alam/How does a wide receiver prospect who stands nearly 6-foot-5 and runs a 4.3-flat 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine not get taken until the fourth-round of the 2025 NFL Draft? When said prospect is viewed as a one-trick pony. Advertisement Despite measuring in at 6-foot-4 5/8 inches (nearly 6-foot-5) and 205 pounds and running a blazing 40, Tennessee wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. didn't hear his name called until Day 3 of the draft. But he went to a team where a prospect of his nature would've been a much higher selection in eras past: The Las Vegas Raiders. By The Numbers: Don'te Thorton Jr., Wide Receiver, Tennessee 2024: 13 games, 26 receptions, 661 yards (25.4 yards per catch average), 6 touchdowns Career (2021-24): 47 total games (25 at Oregon, 22 at Tennessee), 65 receptions, 1,426 yards (21.9 yards per catch average, 10 touchdowns; 2 carries, 6 yards, 0 touchdowns At his size and speed, Thornton is a prototypical throwback to a point in history where those two attributes were the primary job requirements to sport Silver & Black. So much so that current Raiders owner Mark Davis quipped the selection was the 'Al Davis' pick. 'Yeah, Mark joked that was the Al Davis pick of this draft, the height, weight, speed, raw traits, athleticism, speed, and I think it's just focusing on what he can do and what he can be,' Las Vegas general manager John Spytek said of Thornton during a post draft press conference. 'I mean, he's a 4.3, low 4.3 guy. He's 6'4'-plus 200-something pounds, big-time five-star recruit, goes to Oregon, then goes to Tennessee. You watch his target tape, I think it's pretty impressive. And we think he hasn't hit his ceiling yet. We think he can still refine and improve under our coaches, but he definitely has physical traits that are outstanding.' While Thornton is viewed as single-skilled specialist coming out of Tennessee, that singular trick is one hell of a bang. He averaged a nation-leading 25.4 yards per catch in his final season for the Volunteers hauling in 26 passes for 661 yards and six touchdowns. It was a low-volume but electrifying senior season at Tennessee. Advertisement It's Thornton's 'scare you death' jets that offensive coordinator Chip Kelly must take advantage of — in any shape or way possible. Go-Go Gadget Speed Whether it was your standard fly/go routes or deep posts, Thornton's instant acceleration and breakaway speed were ever present this past season. The 2024 campaign was a season of career-high marks as Thornton was targeted 34 times with his production all being his collegiate career best. Thornton spent his first two years as an Oregon Duck before transferring and becoming a Tennessee Volunteer from 2023-24. As a field stretcher who tests a defense's athletic ability and discipline, Thornton is the type of receiving option the Raiders sorely missed. He's a unique blend of freakish physical profile and athleticism that many defensive backs can't run with. Whether it's sending him deep, using him on jet sweeps/end arounds, screens or even handing him the rock similar to how speedster Cordarrelle Patterson is used, Las Vegas should get the ball in Thornton's hands as much as possible to see what he can do. Advertisement Las Vegas lacked legitimate speed at the wide receiver position with third-year wideout Tre Tucker being the lone burner in the group last season who got consistent play. Spytek and head coach Pete Carroll addressed this by selecting Thornton with the 108th overall pick and also bringing Montana State's Tommy Mellott with the 213th overall pick in the sixth round. Mellott, a collegiate quarterback converting to wide receiver, is a lot smaller than his draft classmate at 5-foot-11 and 200 pounds, but clocked in a 4.39 40-yard dash time at Montana State's pro day. Route Refinement A really tall James Jett is Thorton's profile as he enters the NFL. This is due to the wideout's lack of a true route tree. Advertisement He's a tall receiver and it's that high-cut nature which pigeon holes his offensive impact. Yes, Kelly and the Raiders should without a doubt test defenses by sending Thornton on the routes he runs well: Fly/Go, deep corners and posts. But to make Thornton less predictable and more of a complete package, he'll need to spend time refining his route-running ability with wide receiver's coach Chris Betty to truly become a versatile option and not a one-trick pony in Kelly's offense. The instant acceleration is present on routes where Thornton can use his long legs to stride, but if he is able to develop short-area quickness and get in and out of breaks with little wasted movement, a 6-foot-5 target on slants, comebacks, curls, digs, and out routes is an enticing option for starting quarterback Geno Smith. Temper Year 1 expectations for Thornton as he's got plenty to prove in terms of the route tree and beating NFL-caliber press coverage. But if the defense makes a mistake, it'll be quite costly. Contested Catches That all said, Kelly is likely concocting ways he can use Thornton's 6-foot-5 frame and speed to be a jump-ball/contested catch nightmare. While the wide receiver's collegiate production/targets were erratic, the Raiders play caller can take advantage of Thorton's height and long arms from the jump. Advertisement Even when collegiate defensive backs were able to keep up with Thornton downfield, the receiver's ability to out jump and dominate at the catch point is extremely difficult to defend. While Thornton will meet pro defenders who are just as fast — if not faster — not many have the physical attributes combined with the mental game to keep up, look back to find the ball, and make a play on it against a very tall target. More from