Rajah Caruth is proving once again that HBCU excellence extends well beyond the classroom and into the winner’s circle.
The Winston-Salem State University alum and rising NASCAR star made history on Friday night, May 30, by capturing his second NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victory at the Rackley Roofing 200 in Nashville. The win not only ended a 31-race winless streak—it also locked Caruth and his No. 71 Spire Motorsports team into the 2025 NASCAR playoffs.
A Victory Rooted in Grit
Caruth’s performance at Nashville was nothing short of dominant. After taking the lead with just over 50 laps remaining, he held off a tight pack of competitors to cross the finish line first. Corey Heim and Layne Riggs followed close behind, but it was Caruth’s tenacity and smooth driving that sealed the win.
“My pit crew won that race,” Caruth said post-race, giving credit to the behind-the-scenes work that powered his No. 71 Chevrolet Silverado. “I just kept asking myself, how bad do you want it? And I did my best. That was it.”
The win marked Caruth’s second career victory in the Truck Series and his first of the 2025 season. It also made him one of just three drivers—alongside Kyle Busch and Kyle Larson—to earn multiple wins for Spire Motorsports, a growing force in NASCAR.
From HBCU Grad to NASCAR’s Big Stage
Caruth’s rise is extraordinary, and not just because of his talent on the track. A proud graduate of Winston-Salem State University, Caruth represents a new wave of HBCU alumni breaking into elite spaces in professional motorsports.
Before going pro, Caruth honed his craft in iRacing, a simulation platform where he built his racing skills in virtual settings. From there, he turned heads at NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity program and began making real moves on real tracks—all while completing his degree at an HBCU.
Now, with this win, he’s ranked 10th in the series standings, with 186 laps led and seven top-ten finishes in just 12 starts this season.
Bigger Than Racing
Rajah’s impact goes beyond just what he’s doing on the track. As one of the few Black drivers in NASCAR—and a representative of HBCU culture—Caruth is shifting perceptions and creating new pathways for young Black talent interested in motorsports.
He’s using his platform to speak up for representation, community involvement, and inclusion in a sport that has historically lacked diversity. That energy carries the spirit of the yard onto the national stage.
What’s Next?
With the playoffs locked in, Caruth and his team now have momentum heading into the most crucial stretch of the season. His Nashville win has put the rest of the field on notice—and reminded the world that HBCU grads belong in every lane, including the fast one.
Rajah Caruth’s victory isn’t just a win for him—it’s a win for Winston-Salem State, for HBCUs, and for everyone watching the culture continue to shift gears.
