Folks, Black History Month concluded with us entering March. For decades, NASCAR has been a sport steeped in tradition, with a driver roster that has historically lacked diversity. Wendell Scott broke barriers in the 1960s. Willy T. Ribbs, the driver for Jack Roush’s Roush Protofab team in Trans-Am Series called it out clearly: “NASCAR… as far as their diversity program is concerned, it’s a scam. And what are other racing disciplines doing? IndyCar? Nothing. All major-league sports in this country, from baseball to football to basketball, there’s a beginning stage—an outreach—to get minority kids interested. There is none of that in racing.”
Willy T. Ribbs and Bill Lester tried to follow Scott’s path, but their successes were often isolated incidents. It wasn’t until Bubba Wallace’s rise that NASCAR saw another Black driver consistently competing at the Cup Series level. His rise to prominence has inspired a new generation of drivers from diverse backgrounds. Among these rising stars is Rajah Caruth, a young 22-year-old talent who has quickly made a name for himself in the racing world. Caruth’s journey is particularly inspiring. But, why is it special?
Caruth has achieved the unimaginable, considering his expertise in sim racing and his determination to succeed in a sport where opportunities for minority drivers have historically been limited. As Caruth returns to Las Vegas, one year after a significant milestone, he reflects on that victory with a surprising mix of emotions.
Rajah Caruth reflects on his historic Las Vegas victory
Rajah Caruth’s breakthrough win at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March 2024 marked a pivotal moment in NASCAR history. As the third Black driver to claim victory in a national series race, Caruth joined legends Wendell Scott and Bubba Wallace in breaking barriers. Driving the No. 71 truck for Spire Motorsports, Caruth led 38 laps. In the end, he held off Tyler Ankrum by just 0.851 seconds to secure his milestone victory.
The triumph was emotional for Caruth, who described the surreal experience of taking the white flag during the race. “I thought I was gonna cry like a baby,” he shared in an interview, adding, “It just didn’t sink in.” His parents, Samantha and Roger Caruth, were present to celebrate the moment. Roger, the proud father that he was, joyfully called it “the beginning of a bright future.”
However, as Caruth looks back on that historic night one year later, he admits to having a major regret. “I think I was too focused on kind of dismissing it and going to the next race, the next obligation,” he reflected. “I lost a lot of presence in how big of a milestone that was.” Caruth wishes he had cherished the win more deeply instead of minimizing its significance.
Caruth’s perspective has evolved since then. He hopes that when he wins again, he’ll take time to celebrate fully. “Hopefully, the next time we win, I’ll have that opportunity to just celebrate it more,” he said. He believes his interviews and reactions will be different next time as he focuses on truly appreciating his accomplishments.
Despite his regrets, Caruth’s victory remains a landmark achievement for representation in NASCAR. Bubba Wallace, Caruth’s idol, congratulated him after the win. He tweeted, calling it “a monumental win for our sport.” With his undeniable talent and determination, Caruth continues to inspire others from diverse backgrounds to pursue their dreams in motorsports.
From humble beginnings to historic winnings
Rajah Caruth’s journey to NASCAR began unconventionally. Born in Atlanta and raised in Washington, D.C., Caruth grew up as a die-hard NASCAR fan. His passion for racing started with a book, NASCAR: The Complete History. Caruth read obsessively as a child, aged just 7. Then, without the resources to race traditionally, Caruth turned to iRacing, a computer-based racing simulation, where he competed in over 500 races in his first year alone.
In 2019, Caruth’s talent on iRacing earned him a spot in NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity program, which aims to develop drivers from underrepresented backgrounds. He became the first driver to advance through the program with only sim racing experience. Caruth, grateful for the opportunity, explained, “If it wasn’t for iRacing, I would not have a career to begin with.” Bubba Wallace, one of his biggest inspirations, praised Caruth’s dedication.
Caruth made his national series debut in 2022 in the Xfinity Series with Alpha Prime Racing. Though his early results were modest, he showed flashes of potential, including a 12th-place finish at Martinsville. By 2024, he joined Spire Motorsports full-time in the Truck Series and began to make significant strides. He secured top-five finishes early in the season and quickly became a rising star.
As Caruth returns to Las Vegas for the 2025 season, he carries the lessons of his past while setting his sights on an even bigger future. With a full-time ride secured at Spire Motorsports and the distractions of college behind him, he is now fully focused on his racing career.
This time, he’s ready to embrace every milestone, ensuring that his next trip to Victory Lane is celebrated without hesitation.
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