Rajah Caruth
Caruth at Dover Motor Speedway in 2023
BornRajah Kirby Caruth
(2002-06-11) June 11, 2002
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
AchievementsFirst African-American driver to win at Tri-County Motor Speedway
Awards2021 Wendell Scott Trailblazer Award Winner
NASCAR Xfinity Series career
16 races run over 2 years
2022 position92nd
Best finish90th (2023)
First race2022 ToyotaCare 250 (Richmond)
Last race2023 Drive for the Cure 250 (Charlotte Roval)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 0 0
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series career
25 races run over 2 years
2022 position43rd
Best finish16th (2023)
First race2022 Toyota 200 (Gateway)
Last race2023 Craftsman 150 (Phoenix)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 4 0
ARCA Menards Series career
25 races run over 2 years
Best finish3rd (2022)
First race2021 Shore Lunch 150 (Iowa)
Last race2022 Shore Lunch 200 (Toledo)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 18 0
ARCA Menards Series East career
12 races run over 2 years
Best finish3rd (2021)
First race2021 Jeep Beach 175 (New Smyrna)
Last race2022 Bush's Beans 200 (Bristol)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 8 0
ARCA Menards Series West career
2 races run over 2 years
Best finish47th (2021)
First race2021 Arizona Lottery 100 (Phoenix)
Last race2022 General Tire 150 (Phoenix)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 2 0
Statistics current as of October 7, 2023.

Rajah Kirby Caruth (born June 11, 2002) is an American professional stock car racing driver. He last competed full-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 24 Chevrolet Silverado for GMS Racing and part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the Nos. 44/45 Chevrolet Camaros for Alpha Prime Racing, and the No. 17 Camaro for Hendrick Motorsports.

Caruth is one of the four African-American drivers who are currently competing in NASCAR, alongside Bubba Wallace, Jesse Iwuji, and Armani Williams.

Racing career

Early career

Rajah first got his love for racing after watching Disney Pixars 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, his fourth overall late model win.[5][6]

ARCA Menards Series East

On February 3, 2021, Caruth announced that he will 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.

ARCA Menards 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] 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]

ARCA Menards Series West

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.

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 will return to Alpha Prime Racing for the 2023 season, running another partial schedule.[20] He earned his best finish of 16th at Darlington, running an Adam Petty throwback paint scheme.[21] On September 26, it was announced that Caruth will drive the No. 17 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports in the season finale at Phoenix Raceway.[22]

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.[23] In his first start, Caruth initially scored in 10th, after the caution came out on the final lap. He was later scored in the 11th spot.[24] At Richmond, Caruth started 28th due to a bad qualifying run. He only moved up a few positions, and would finish 25th, four laps down.[25] At Bristol, Caruth was involved in an accident with Josh Reaume on lap 34, eventually retiring from the race ten laps later.[26]

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.[27] On December 6, it was officially confirmed that Caruth will drive for GMS Racing in 2023.[28] After a rough start to the season with three DNF's, Caruth earned his best career finish of 6th at Darlington Raceway in May.[29]

Personal life

Caruth was born in Atlanta, Georgia to a Vincentian father and a Vincentian-Barbadian mother,[30] 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 got accepted into the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program. He was also featured in an episode of "The Family Business" on BET+ in July.[31] He graduated from the School Without Walls High School in 2020, and is currently a junior at Winston-Salem State University, where he is a Motorsport management major.[32] On December 27, 2022, it was announced that Caruth would join Richard Petty on NASCAR's float in the 2023 Rose Parade.[33]

Motorsports career results

Stock car career summary

Season Series Team Races Wins Top 5 Top 10 Points Position
2021 ARCA Menards Series Rev Racing 5 0 1 4 180 23rd
ARCA Menards Series East 8 0 2 5 386 3rd
ARCA Menards Series West 1 0 0 1 36 47th
2022 ARCA Menards Series Rev Racing 20 0 8 14 932 3rd
ARCA Menards Series East 4 0 3 3 202 8th
ARCA Menards Series West 1 0 1 1 40 49th
NASCAR Xfinity Series Alpha Prime Racing 7 0 0 0 0 NC†
NASCAR Truck Series Spire Motorsports 4 0 0 0 46 43rd
2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series Alpha Prime Racing 8 0 0 0 0 NC†
NASCAR Truck Series GMS Racing 21 0 0 3 * *

† 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

NASCAR Xfinity Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 NXSC Pts Ref
2022 Alpha Prime Racing 44 Chevy DAY CAL LVS PHO ATL COA RCH
24		 MAR TAL DOV
38		 DAR TEX CLT PIR NSH ROA ATL NHA POC
38		 IRC MCH GLN DAY DAR LVS
20		 HOM MAR
12		 PHO
17		 92nd 01 [34]
45 KAN
25		 BRI TEX TAL ROV
2023 DAY CAL
21		 LVS
26		 PHO ATL COA RCH MAR TAL DOV
26		 DAR DAR
16		 KAN
29		 LVS
23		 HOM 90th 01 [35]
44 CLT
25		 PIR SON NSH CSC ATL NHA
37		 POC ROA MCH IRC GLN DAY BRI
17		 TEX ROV
19		 MAR
12
Hendrick Motorsports 17 Chevy PHO
14

Craftsman Truck Series

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 NCTC Pts Ref
2022 Spire Motorsports 7 Chevy DAY LVS ATL COA MAR BRD DAR KAN TEX CLT GTW
11		 SON KNX NSH MOH POC IRP RCH
25		 KAN BRI
34		 TAL HOM PHO
32		 43rd 46 [36]
2023 GMS Racing 24 Chevy DAY
29		 LVS
29		 ATL
25		 COA
13		 TEX
19		 BRD
11		 MAR
25		 KAN
34		 DAR
6		 NWS
34		 CLT
11		 GTW
15		 NSH
32		 MOH
29		 POC
16		 RCH
19		 IRP
7		 MLW
14		 KAN
12		 BRI
6		 TAL
12		 HOM
8		 PHO
12		 16th 482 [37]

* 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.)

ARCA Menards Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 AMSC Pts Ref
2021 Rev Racing 6 Chevy DAY PHO TAL KAN TOL CLT MOH POC ELK BLN IOW
9		 WIN GLN MCH ISF MLW
13		 DSF BRI
6		 SLM
3		 KAN
9		 23rd 180 [38]
2022 DAY
11		 TAL
6		 KAN
2		 CLT
3		 IOW
12		 BLN
5		 ELK
7		 MOH
9		 POC
4		 IRP
8		 MCH
6		 GLN
11		 ISF
6		 MLW
4		 DSF
17		 KAN
12		 BRI
4		 SLM
15		 TOL
5		 3rd 932 [39]
61 PHO
4

ARCA Menards Series East

ARCA Menards Series East results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 AMSEC Pts Ref
2021 Rev Racing 6 Chevy NSM
11		 FIF
4		 NSV
6		 DOV
14		 SNM
3		 IOW
9		 MLW
13		 BRI
6		 3rd 336 [40]
2022 NSM FIF DOV
4		 NSV IOW
12		 MLW
4		 BRI
4		 8th 152 [41]

ARCA Menards Series West

ARCA Menards Series West results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 AMSWC Pts Ref
2021 Rev Racing 66 Chevy PHO SON IRW CNS IRW PIR LVS AAS PHO
8		 47th 36 [42]
2022 61 PHO
4		 IRW KCR PIR SON IRW EVG PIR AAS LVS PHO 49th 40 [43]

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.)

CARS Late Model Stock Car Tour results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 CLMSCTC Pts Ref
2022 Carroll Speedshop 8RC Chevy CRW HCY GPS AAS FCS LGY DOM HCY
DNQ		 ACE MMS NWS TCM ACE SBO CRW 80th 2 [44]

References

  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. ↑ Baxter, Kevin (February 22, 2023). "Inside Rajah Caruth's transformation from gamer to rising NASCAR driver". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  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. ↑ "Rajah Caruth wins first career Late Model race". NASCAR.com. October 3, 2020. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  5. ↑ "Rajah Caruth sweeps Hickory Late Model features". NASCAR.com. April 17, 2021. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
  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. ↑ "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. ↑ "(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. ↑ Kristl, Mark (August 30, 2021). "Nick Sanchez, Rajah Caruth Running Full ARCA Schedule in 2022". Frontstretch. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
  10. ↑ Carr, Tolly (May 14, 2022). "Rajah Caruth has career best finish at Kansas race". HBCU Gameday.
  11. ↑ "Rajah Caruth - 2022 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference.info. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  12. ↑ Estrada, Chris (August 30, 2021). "Alpha Prime Racing to make Xfinity debut in 2022". NBCSports.com. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  13. ↑ Gaither, Steven (March 28, 2022). "Rajah Caruth to race with Virginia State as theme at Richmond". HBCU Gameday. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
  14. ↑ Gaither, Steven (April 2, 2022). "Rajah Caruth finishes in top 25 in debut". HBCU Gameday. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
  15. ↑ Carr, Tolly (April 26, 2022). "Rajah Caruth gains new sponsor for Xfinity ride". HBCU Gameday. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
  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. ↑ 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. ↑ "Rajah Caruth gets top 20 finish at Las Vegas". HBCU Gameday. October 15, 2022. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  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. ↑ 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. ↑ Christie, Toby (September 26, 2023). "Alpha Prime Paying Tribute to Petty Enterprises at Darlington". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
  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. ↑ "Rajah Caruth to make Truck Series debut with Spire Motorsports at Gateway". NASCAR.com. May 31, 2022.
  24. ↑ Nebbia, Michael (June 1, 2022). "Rajah Caruth Attempting Truck Debut At Gateway". Frontstretch.com. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  25. ↑ "Rajah Caruth gains valuable experience in Richmond truck race". HBCU Gameday. August 14, 2022. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  26. ↑ Christie, Toby (September 15, 2022). "Video: Josh Reaume Spins, Rajah Caruth Piles Into Him Early at Bristol". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  27. ↑ 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.
  28. ↑ Long, Dustin (December 6, 2022). "Truck Series: Rajah Caruth joins GMS Racing". NASCAR Talk | NBC Sports. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  29. ↑ Eggert, Seth (May 12, 2023). "Rajah Caruth Earns First Career NASCAR Truck Top-10 at Darlington". Kickin' the Tires. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
  30. ↑ "Rajah Caruth building toward NASCAR career, racing toward history". Indiana Daily Student. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
  31. ↑ 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.
  32. ↑ "Off The Track - Rajah Caruth". rajahcaruth.com. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
  33. ↑ Newby, John (December 27, 2022). "NASCAR Embraces Multiple Eras With Rose Parade Float". Heavy.com. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
  34. ↑ "Rajah Caruth – 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
  35. ↑ "Rajah Caruth – 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  36. ↑ "Rajah Caruth – 2022 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  37. ↑ "Rajah Caruth – 2023 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  38. ↑ "Rajah Caruth – 2021 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
  39. ↑ "Rajah Caruth – 2022 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 5, 2022.
  40. ↑ "Rajah Caruth – 2021 ARCA Menards Series East Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  41. ↑ "Rajah Caruth – 2022 ARCA Menards Series East Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
  42. ↑ "Rajah Caruth – 2021 ARCA Menards Series West Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  43. ↑ "Rajah Caruth – 2022 ARCA Menards Series West Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
  44. ↑ "Rajah Caruth – 2022 CARS Late Model Stock Car Tour Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
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