How Rajah Caruth's NASCAR story breaks every norm his rivals followed

Rajah Caruth’s rise is unlike anything NASCAR’s ladder usually produces. The Hendrick Motorsports development driver did not follow the standard route of karting at five, regional circuits at eight, and late models by early teens. He entered motorsports through a computer, moved into real cars at 16, and climbed faster than most who had a full decade head start.

Caruth’s statement in NASCAR’s Rising video feature again showed how unusual that path is, and how he continues to carry the pressure of catching up while proving he belongs. His jump into racing came with iRacing, where he competed in the eNASCAR Ignite Series.

Rajah Caruth competes in the eTruck Series Night in America on the iRacing platform, 2020. Source: Getty

The experience placed Rajah Caruth in NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity Development program in 2019, making him the first driver with only a sim-racing background to enter the system. The 23-year-old advanced to Rev Racing’s Late Model group the next year, then ran full-time in the ARCA East championship in 2021, which put him on the radar.

Caruth’s real breakthrough arrived last year in the Truck Series, where he won at Las Vegas in March, with the Spire Motorsports’ #71 Chevrolet and became only the third African-American driver to take a national-series victory. He also won the Most Popular Driver award in the Truck Series and reached the playoffs again this season.

The Rising feature focused on Daytona and highlighted how steep his climb has been. Spire owner Jeff Dickerson weighed in on his journey and said:

“I remember Rajah when he first sat in our truck and you were like, ‘Man, he looks like somebody that’s never really raced. He looks like somebody that grew up by iRacing.’

"But from when Raj first sat in that truck to the fall race at Bristol last year, I was just like, ‘This kid can be a Cup driver.’ And that happened in like two years... But he’s racing against guys that have been doing this from when they were in diapers.” (16:16 onwards)

Rajah Caruth explained the pressure from his side as he never felt he had room for the mistakes others could make, given how late he started. He added a lesson from a Bruce Lee book that helped him manage expectations: “Be like bamboo, not an oak tree.”

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Rajah Caruth takes his next big step with JR Motorsports in 2026

Rajah Caruth and Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series Food City 300. (Getty Images)

Rajah Caruth’s next move is already decided. JR Motorsports confirmed in October that he will join the team’s Xfinity lineup in 2026, splitting the No. 88 Chevrolet in the new O’Reilly Auto Parts Series era. The program links him directly to Hendrick Motorsports’ development pipeline and expands JRM’s already strong roster.

Caruth will pilot the No. 88 part-time, as Carson Kvapil and Connor Zilisch share duties on the No.1 Chevy. Sammy Smith keeps the No. 8, Justin Allgaier returns to the No. 7, and JRM adds a new No. 9 car for Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen on a part-time plan. The team is coming off one of its best seasons with 14 wins and three drivers in the Championship 4 and looks forward to another one.

Caruth’s Truck Series future at Spire Motorsports has not been finalized. The team has run a rotating lineup this year, and the option of a part-time return remains open. His Rising co-star and Spire Cup driver Carson Hocevar hinted at changes ahead, though no announcement has been made.