Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Caruth 3rd Black NASCAR driver to win series race

Written by 
Published in Breaking News
Saturday, 02 March 2024 04:52

Rajah Caruth made a promise after taking the checkered flag in the Victoria's Voice Foundation 200 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

"There's more to come, for sure," the 21-year-old Spire Motorsports driver said moments after securing his first NASCAR Truck Series win from pole position Friday night.

An alumnus of NASCAR's Drive for Diversity program, Caruth is the third Black driver to win a NASCAR national series race, joining Hall of Famer Wendell Scott and Bubba Wallace.

Wallace took to social media to congratulate Caruth, calling it a "a monumental win for our sport!"

It was a day for firsts for Caruth, who earlier Friday won the initial Truck Series pole of his career by 0.001 seconds over Christian Eckes. It was Caruth's pit crew that helped decide the issue.

During a 62-lap green-flag run to the finish, crew chief Chad Walter called Caruth's No. 71 Chevrolet to pit road early in the cycle. The over-the-wall crew performed a flawless stop, and after other contenders made their stops during the cycle, Caruth inherited the lead on Lap 114 with an advantage over Taylor Gray of nearly two seconds.

That margin enabled Caruth, who led 38 laps, to finish 0.851 seconds in front of fast-closing Tyler Ankrum, who passed Gray for second on Lap 120.

"It's surreal," Caruth said. "Thanks so much to [sponsor] HendrickCars.com and Mr. H [Hendrick] for putting me in this thing all year, and with the men and women at Spire.

"So many people have helped me get to this point, and I can't believe it. I just stayed cool. We lost track position in little portions of the race, and we stayed in the game. ... My guys got me a great stop, and we just executed."

A lack of execution ruined the chances of several contenders. Ty Majeski, who led a race-high 40 of the 134 laps and swept the first two stages, drew a penalty for speeding on pit road on Lap 102. So did Daytona winner Nick Sanchez, snuffing out a late rally. Defending race winner Kyle Busch's crew was guilty of a tire violation, preventing Caruth's Spire teammate from contending for the victory.

But with Busch winning last week at Atlanta, Spire now has two straight victories.

In the closing laps, Ankrum could see Caruth tantalizingly in front of him, just out of reach.

"I wish we would have had 10 more laps, and I think we could have gotten it," said Ankrum, who retained his series lead by five points over second-place Majeski. "But we tend to say that a lot in racing. I wish we would have been able to do it, but I think our time is coming."

Corey Heim finished third and is seven points behind Ankum in the standings. Caruth climbed one spot from fifth to fourth, 10 points out of the series lead. Gray ran fourth on Friday, followed by Christopher Bell. Eckes, Matt Crafton, Zane Smith, Grant Enfinger and Majeski completed the top 10. Busch finished 15th, one lap down.

Field Level Media contributed to this report.

Read 40 times

Soccer

Vini Jr. focused on UCL amid Ballon d'Or clamor

Vini Jr. focused on UCL amid Ballon d'Or clamor

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsVinícius Júnior has dismissed speculation that he could win the Bal...

Bayern fume at offside call 'disgrace' in UCL exit

Bayern fume at offside call 'disgrace' in UCL exit

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel said the linesman apologised to...

Messi's Barça napkin auction opens at $275k

Messi's Barça napkin auction opens at $275k

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe auction for the napkin which famously launched Lionel Messi's B...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Murray takes 'full responsibility' for losing his cool

Murray takes 'full responsibility' for losing his cool

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsDenver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, acknowledging that he and his te...

Cops investigate Beverley for throwing ball at fan

Cops investigate Beverley for throwing ball at fan

EmailPrintINDIANAPOLIS -- Indianapolis police announced Wednesday they've opened an investigation in...

Baseball

Stanton's 2nd-deck blast hardest-hit ball of '24

Stanton's 2nd-deck blast hardest-hit ball of '24

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton hit a 119.9 mph home...

Mizuhara wired Ohtani money to reality TV star

Mizuhara wired Ohtani money to reality TV star

EmailPrintRyan Boyajian, a current cast member of Bravo's reality TV series "The Real Housewives of...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated