Rajah Caruth, known as Bubba Wallace’s NASCAR prodigy, secured a fourth-place finish in the Friday Truck Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, marking his third top-five result this season. Despite this strong showing, Caruth expressed disappointment over his qualifying position in the 67-lap playoff event.
The race was won by Corey Heim, driver of the No. 11 truck for Tricon Garage, who notched his ninth victory of the 2025 season. Brent Crews, Gio Ruggiero, Rajah Caruth, and Connor Zilisch completed the top five finishers, showcasing a competitive field under the playoff spotlight.
Caruth, a product of NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity Driver Development Program and long-time mentee of Bubba Wallace, currently races the No. 71 Chevy Silverado for Spire Motorsports. At 22 years old, the Washington, DC native is focused on securing his first Truck Series championship this season, building on his recent successes.
Challenges in Qualifying Despite Strong Race Performance
Caruth started the Charlotte race 18th among 36 entries, a position he felt did not reflect his capabilities or the potential of his vehicle. Speaking after the race, Caruth acknowledged the need for improvement, particularly in road racing, stating,
“I definitely feel like I needed to do better, for sure. I’ve got a lot of work to do in my road racing, obviously …I should not qualify 18th in a Spire truck at a road course. I got some work to do for sure, but proud to get a good result today.”
?Rajah Caruth, Driver
Following in Historic Footsteps with Continued Success
Rajah Caruth has made significant strides as the third African American driver to win a national NASCAR series race, joining the legacy of Wendell Scott and Bubba Wallace. His maiden triumph came earlier this year at Nashville Superspeedway, which helped him qualify for the playoffs for the second consecutive season.
The mentorship from Wallace has been pivotal since Caruth’s entry into the sport through the McDonald’s Black & Positively Golden Mentors program in 2021, designed to connect young Black drivers with experienced professionals. Wallace’s support has been a cornerstone of Caruth’s development on and off the track.
Wallace’s Enthusiasm for Caruth’s Playoff Drive
After Caruth clinched his spot in the playoffs with his victory at the Rackley Roofing 200 in Nashville, Wallace publicly expressed his excitement, posting,
“LFGGGGGG kid!!!!!!!”
?Bubba Wallace, NASCAR Cup Series Driver
This encouragement reflects the close bond between the two drivers, as Caruth continues to impress fans and analysts alike with his skill and composure during high-pressure races.
Looking Ahead: Preparing for Talladega and Beyond
Caruth will next compete at Talladega Superspeedway on October 17, where he aims to maintain his momentum in the playoffs. The race will be broadcast live on FS1 at 4 pm ET, with additional coverage available on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Meanwhile, Bubba Wallace is approaching his 32nd start of the 2025 season at the Bank of America ROVAL 400, a 109-lap event scheduled for October 5. The race will air on USA Network and feature live radio updates on PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, channel 90.
Both drivers remain central figures in NASCAR’s evolving landscape, with Caruth embodying the promise of emerging talent nurtured through development programs, and Wallace continuing to make strides as a prominent Black driver in the sport.
"I should not qualify 18th in a Spire truck at a road course."
Even though he finished 4th, @rajahcaruth_ knows he still has work to do on his road course knowledg/.
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— Frontstretch (@Frontstretch) October 3, 2025
