Rajah Caruth won his first career NASCAR race in the Victoria’s Voice Foundation 200 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
“I just stayed cool,” Caruth said, a Winston-Salem State student, about his performance to Fox Sports’ Josh Sims. “We lost track position at little portions of the race, and we just stayed in the game. It was just one step, one punch, one round at a time. My guys had me a great stop, and we just executed.”
Caruth won his first pole position with a time of 30.5 seconds (177.438 mph) in qualifying, which took place a few hours before the race.
"Surreal … I can't believe it."
Talking with @rajahcaruth_ after his first career NASCAR Truck Series victory in Las Vegas. @NASCARonFOX pic.twitter.com/gPvGRbMXUQ
— Josh Sims (@JoshRSims) March 2, 2024
Caruth was able to take the lead and was able to hold the point for the final 21 circuits. He led a career-high 38 laps to take his No. 71 truck to victory lane.
With the win, Caruth became just the third black driver to capture the checkered flag at a NASCAR national series, joining legendary Hall of Fame driver Wendell Scott and current NASCAR Cup star Bubba Wallace.
What a massive win for the little bro!
What a monumental win for our sport!
Proud is an understatement!
LFG!!!!!!! @rajahcaruth_
— Bubba Wallace (@BubbaWallace) March 2, 2024
The week got off to a good start for Caruth’s Spire Motorsports team after they received additional financial investment from HendrickCars.com two days before the race. The extra support will now enable the team, initially planned to run a 10-race deal, to run the full 2024 season.
By winning one of the first 16 races, Caruth qualifies for the Craftsman Truck Series postseason.
