Rajah Caruth made history by becoming only the third Black driver to win a national series race when he crossed the finish line first in the Victoria’s Voice Foundation 200 presented by Westgate Resorts NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race, joining the likes of hall of famer Wendell Scott and Bubba Wallace in the 20th year of NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity Program.
“It’s surreal ... glad to get the win for Team Chevy,” Caruth told FS1 after the race. “I can’t thank my family enough. So many people have helped me get to this point. I can’t believe it.
“There’s more to come, for sure.”
Under the Friday night lights and with his parents watching from the stands at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the 21-year-old Caruth, who also claimed his first career pole earlier in the day, led 38 laps for his first career win in 30 starts. Tyler Ankrum, Corey Heim, Taylor Gray and Christopher Bell rounded out the top 5.
“I’m glad I made the most of it tonight and get locked into the playoffs,” Caruth added.
Caruth, Kyle Busch, Nick Sanchez and Ty Majeski each sat in the top 10 when pitting on Lap 102. Caruth and his No. 71 Spire Motorsports team nailed the final pit stop and he went on to take the lead for good 12 laps later.
Majeski led for 40 laps and won the first two stages, but a pit-road speeding penalty late in the race cost the No. 98 Ford valuable track position. Majeski ended up finishing 10th.
Caruth only led two laps in his career prior to the win, which came three days after HendrickCars.com extended its partnership with the No. 71 Chevrolet driver from Washington, D.C. The iRacing aficionado turned heads through the first two weeks of the season with a third-place showing at Daytona International Speedway and an eight-place finish at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Caruth, a senior student at Winston-Salem State, stayed in or around the top five for the bulk of the race, including an early battle with Busch in Stage 1. Busch briefly held the lead but told his crew on Lap 21 that his truck was getting tight. He faded back and crossed 15th to close the evening.
The race included 19 lead changes and four cautions.
Action continues Saturday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway with the LiUNA NASCAR Xfinity Series event and culminates Sunday with the Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube. Tickets remain available at LVMS.com or by calling 1-800-644-4444 with children receiving free admission on Friday and Saturday (and only $10 on Sunday with purchase of an adult ticket).
Military discounts are available for single-day tickets, and the college student and educator $19 ticket offer is available for Sunday’s race.
