Latest news with #RajahCaruth
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Rajah Caruth wins NASCAR Truck race at Nashville in tense finish
Rajah Caruth has earned his first victory of the 2025 season and just the second of his career, fending off both Corey Heim and Layne Riggs in the closing laps at Nashville. Driving the No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet, Caruth grabbed the lead on pit road at the end of the second stage. The driver made the most of what his pit crew did for him, never surrendering the race lead. Advertisement "I didn't expect that at all," said Caruth. "Those guys were breathing down my neck the whole run. My pit crew won that race -- Jarius, Zico, Dawson, Josh, Cody -- they won that race for us. Thanks to them, thanks to everyone at the men and women at Spire Motorsports. We've been off this year but good to get a dub tonight, man. I'm out of breath." Heim is the winningest driver of the 2025 season with four wins in the first 11 races, including last weekend's event at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Speaking on the runner-up finish at Nashville, he said, "I feel like clean air was the thing (we needed) tonight. With the third stage being so straightforward, and the lack of strategy going green there, it was tough to come back from not having the lead. I slid through my box in the last stop and didn't do my guys any favors. Just something to reflect on -- on my part. "But big congrats to Rajah. He did an awesome job managing from the lead and I was really free behind him and he made pretty much the right choice every time as for where I was gonna go. It's nice racing against people that aren't going to wreck you, racing for the race lead." Layne Riggs finished a close third with Daniel Hemric fourth and Corey Day fifth. Kaden Honeycutt, Chandler Smith, Ty Majeski, Bayley Currey, and Grant Enfinger filled out the remainder of the top ten. Advertisement Kyle Busch, who had to fight back from a penalty for a restart violation, finished 15th. A straightforward race Rajah Caruth, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Rajah Caruth, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Sean Gardner / Getty Images Sean Gardner / Getty Images The race itself got off to a slow start after Frankie Muniz's #33 truck dumped oil all over the track, with Muniz forced to pull out of the race without completing a single lap under speed. The only on-track accident occurred on Lap 55 when Jack Wood and Akinori Ogata spun. Riggs went on to win the opening stage while Heim claimed the Stage 2 win, adding another playoff point to his impressive total. While Caruth never lost the lead in the final 47-lap run, Heim certainly came close as he got to the outside of him with just six laps to go. Caruth ran him high and Heim chose to lift. From that point onward, he had his hands full with Riggs in the battle for second and never got back alongside Caruth. Read Also: Time to worry: Playoff hopes are slipping away for these NASCAR Cup drivers To read more articles visit our website.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
HBCU star turns heads in NASCAR
Most NASCAR drivers didn't grow up watching races from a dorm room at an HBCU—but Rajah Caruth isn't like most drivers. At just 22 years old, Caruth is blazing a trail in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 71 Chevrolet Silverado for Spire Motorsports. On May 2, he turned heads at Texas Motor Speedway with a thrilling third-place finish at the 250, a race that stretched into double overtime. It marked his second top-five of the season and a defining moment in a breakout year. Advertisement HBCU Roots with Racing Ambitions Caruth graduated from Winston-Salem State University in December 2024 with a degree in Motorsports Management. That alone makes history—WSSU is the only HBCU in the country offering such a program. Balancing a NASCAR schedule with academics? That's next-level discipline. His journey reflects a powerful fusion of culture and competition, reminding fans that Black excellence belongs in every lane. Driving Change in a Traditional Sport Representation matters—and Caruth is making sure the NASCAR world knows it. As one of just a few Black drivers in NASCAR's national series history to secure a top finish, he joins the legacy of pioneers like Wendell Scott and Bubba Wallace. Caruth's rise through NASCAR's Drive for Diversity program underscores how talent, when given opportunity, can shatter barriers. Spire Motorsports (71) Rajah Caruth at Daytona International Speedway © Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images A New Face of NASCAR's Future Advertisement Caruth isn't just racing—he's redefining the sport's future. Whether it's his calm under pressure or his vocal support for diversity, he brings more than speed to the track. His steady climb in 2025 has HBCU fans and racing insiders watching closely. Related: Black College Football Hall of Fame makes major announcement The Finish Line Rajah Caruth isn't asking for attention—he's earning it. And if you're an HBCU sports fan, it's time to tune in, show out, and ride with one of our own. Related: NBA legend and HBCU trailblazer dies at 88 Related: Baseball visionary and HBCU pioneer dies at 65
Miami Herald
03-05-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
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 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
