Rajah Caruth's Dual Learning Journey in 2023: Inside the Classroom and on the Racetrack
Rajah Caruth is currently engaged in a year filled with both learning and racing activities in 2023. Despite the summer break from his academic courses at Winston-Salem State University, the 21-year-old is deep into his first full-time season in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
Whether he's attending classes or exploring racetracks in his distinctive attire (he was seen wearing both a Chase Young Commanders jersey and a personalized Wizards outfit at Richmond Raceway in July), or even when he's behind the wheel of his GMS Racing truck, Caruth is juggling a variety of commitments this year.
Frontstretch's Adam Cheek recently had a conversation with Caruth during the Richmond race weekend in July, seeking refuge from the scorching outdoor heat in the GMS Racing hauler, where the temperature felt like it was approaching 115 degrees.
Adam Cheek, Frontstretch: How has the balance between college and racing evolved for you during your first full-time campaign this season?
Rajah Caruth: Well, it's the summer right now, so it's quite nice, but classes will be starting soon. So, I'll need to reassess my course load for the upcoming fall and spring semesters to stay on track for graduation.
Cheek: What's it like having these few months off, and how does it compare to managing both aspects in the fall?
Caruth: During the summer, I can go to sleep and wake up without worrying about rushing to complete homework assignments or making the drive to school. But this is the life I've chosen, and I wouldn't change it for anything.
Cheek: Let's rewind a bit to last year when you made four starts for Spire in the trucks, one of which was right here at Richmond.
Caruth: Oh, I wasn't very good [laughs].
Cheek: [laughs] What did you take away from those experiences?
Caruth: I learned a lot, honestly. It's going to pay off for me because, looking back, my focus was a bit scattered last year, and I didn't fully grasp what I didn't know. After a year of development as both a driver and a young man, I feel like I've made significant progress. We'll see how that translates for us moving forward.
Cheek: Tell me about your journey to GMS Racing this year and how the deal came together.
Caruth: The deal didn't really solidify until late last year, but luckily, I had some financial support from backers who came into contact with me. They expressed their interest in supporting me, and they made this deal possible for this year. So, I owe it all to them.
I won't name them, but their support has been a true blessing. Chris Lambert has been my spotter for the past two or three years in ARCA and joined me in the trucks this year, so it's great to have that continuity. But with my new team, they've been a pleasure to work with, and it's been a fantastic experience growing together. They treat me as an equal, and we have fun while working hard. We have a great working relationship, and it feels like a family. However, I must admit that I can be a bit of a nuisance at times. I try to show my dedication in every way possible, even if it means occasionally getting on their nerves [laughs].
Cheek: You've been supported by the Wendell Scott Foundation for most of this year. How did that partnership come about?
Caruth: That partnership came together rather late last year. I wasn't very involved in the negotiation process because the people supporting me were already acquainted with the Scott family or had established connections. It was ultimately decided that the Wendell Scott Foundation would adorn the truck.
At that point, I thought, "Whatever ends up on the truck is what it is." It's truly special for me to carry on the legacy of the Scott family and contribute to their cause. As the next Black driver after Bubba [Wallace], I feel honored to represent their name and do my part.
Cheek: You've been competitive in races this year, even leading your first lap in Nashville a few races ago. What have you learned and improved upon the most this season?
Caruth: I don't think it's been a matter of lacking speed for me. Initially, I was concerned about not being fast enough, but I quickly realized it wasn't my speed but rather my racecraft and situational awareness. It's about knowing when to push the envelope on the track and when to exercise patience.
Kansas was a valuable lesson for me, where I learned to stay calm and not push too hard. Up until that point, I was always driving as fast as possible, thinking it was a make-or-break situation. Thankfully, I have a supportive family and racing team that have taught me that a single race outcome doesn't define everything. This realization has been a pivotal part of my development.
I've definitely made some questionable decisions, especially in my interactions with other drivers, but I've learned from those experiences. Understanding that one spot or one mistake doesn't determine the outcome of the entire race has been crucial for my growth.
Cheek: You're teammates with Grant Enfinger this year, a seasoned veteran of the series. How has it been working with him, and what guidance has he provided?
Caruth: It's been incredibly helpful having Grant as a teammate. He has outperformed me at several tracks, but there have also been occasions where I've been right up there with him. It's been valuable to bounce ideas off him since he possesses a wealth of experience and is highly skilled.
Having him as a benchmark to measure myself against, along with Christian Eckes, has been a tremendous resource in our team meetings. Grant and I recently sat down to discuss Richmond, and I greatly appreciated his insights into the track, his focus points, and how I can improve myself. It's fantastic to have him as a teammate.
Cheek: You've also had some part-time races with Alpha Prime Racing in the Xfinity Series this year. What have you learned in Xfinity competition thus far?
Caruth: Last year, I was primarily just driving. I performed well at various tracks, running inside the top 20 at places like Kansas, Las Vegas, Martinsville, and Phoenix. I even outperformed some Cup-affiliated teams.
This year, I've adopted a different approach. I've learned not to push too hard and jeopardize strong performances, as seen in races like Las Vegas, Fontana, and Charlotte, where I consistently ran in the top 20. I made some mistakes, such as speeding penalties at Dover and Charlotte, trying to extract every bit of speed. At Dover, I exceeded the speed limit by just 0.03 mph.
However, I've learned that sacrificing a tenth of a mile per hour isn't worth going a lap down due to a green-flag pit stop. It's about maximizing each race day and understanding that finishing in the 20th position is a great outcome for this team. Execution hasn't always been perfect, but I've learned not to take unnecessary risks on pit road or put myself in challenging situations.
Cheek: Looking ahead, which tracks are you most excited about, whether in the Xfinity Series or the trucks?
Caruth: I'm really looking forward to Homestead-Miami Speedway because I've never been there before. We're using the same tire that we raced on at Darlington, and
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