Rajah Caruth's Landmark Victory Secures Spot In NASCAR Truck Series Playoffs

Discover how HBCU alum Rajah Caruth is making waves in the NASCAR Truck Series Playoffs. From collegiate roots to racing triumphs, witness his journey to becoming a motorsport powerhouse.

NASCAR Truck Series driver Rajah Caruth celebrates winning the Rackley Roofing 200 at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Friday, May 30, 2025. | Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Rajah Caruth leaned against his No. 71 car while sipping from his cup to stay hydrated before heading to Victory Lane.

After securing his first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victory of the season at the 2025 Rackley Roofing 200 at Nashville Superspeedway on May 30, he embraced his family, girlfriend, and pit crew tightly.

The Winston-Salem State alum finished leading the final 51 laps 0.518 seconds ahead of Corey Heim and 0.629 seconds leading Layne Riggs, according to NASCAR.

NASCAR Truck Series driver Rajah Caruth celebrates winning the Rackley Roofing 200 at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Friday, May 30, 2025. | Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

"I didn't expect that at all," Caruth told Fox Sports pit road reporter Josh Sims. "Those guys were breathing out my neck the whole run. My pit crew won that race," crediting his No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet team.

Caruth faced intense competition from Corey Heim and Layne Riggs but ultimately celebrated his second victory in the Truck Series when the checkered flag was waved.

"I just was asking myself, how bad do you want it? I don't know. I just try my best, and we had clean air. And their stuff was better, but I just did my best. That was it."

NASCAR Truck Series driver Rajah Caruth celebrates winning the Rackley Roofing 200 with a burnout at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Friday, May 30, 2025. | Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The victory ended a 31-race winless streak and secured a playoff spot for Caruth and the No. 71 car of the Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado team. His next race will be on Sunday in the Craftsman Truck Series Playoffs.

The top twenty results from the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race were as follows:

1. Rajah Caruth, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
2. Corey Heim, No. 11 TRICON Garage Toyota
3. Layne Riggs, No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford 
4. Daniel Hemric, No. 19 McAnally-Hilgemann Racing Chevrolet
5. Corey Day, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
6. Kaden Honeycutt, No. 45 Niece Motorsports Chevrolet
7. Chandler Smith, No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford 
8. Ty Majeski, No. 98 Thorsport Racing Ford
9. Bayley Currey, No. 44 Niece Motorsports Chevrolet
10. Grant Enfinger, No. 9 CR7 Motorsports Chevrolet
11. Dawson Sutton, No. 26 Rackley W.A.R. Chevrolet
12. Jake Garcia, No. 13 Thorsport Racing Ford
13. Giovanni Ruggiero, No. 17 TRICON Garage Toyota
14. Ben Rhodes, No. 99 Thorsport Racing Ford 
15. Kyle Busch, No. 07 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
16. Tanner Gray, No. 15 TRICON Garage Toyota
17. Tyler Ankrum, No. 18 McAnally-Hilgemann Racing Chevrolet
18. Luke Fenhaus, No. 66 Thorsport Racing Ford
19. Andres Perez De Lara, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
20. Jack Wood, No. 91 McAnally-Hilgemann Racing Chevrolet

Rajah Caruth is ranked No. 10 in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series standings. He has one victory in twelve starts and has led 186 laps, resulting in seven top-ten finishes, which earned him five playoff points. Corey Heim currently leads all drivers with 29 playoff points.

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