NASCAR, which has been trying to bring more diversity into the sport, has added another full-time Black driver to its ranks.
NBC Sports reported Tuesday that GMS Racing has signed Rajah Caruth to drive the No. 24 truck full-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. The 20-year-old Caruth competed in seven Xfinity Series races last year and four Craftsman Truck Series events. The 20-year-old driver finished third in the ARCA Menards Series last season.
BREAKING NEWS: He’s ready for 2023!@rajahcaruth_ will drive the No. 24 full time for @GMSRacingLLC in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series! pic.twitter.com/263bjm2l0R
— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) December 6, 2022
The Wendell Scott Foundation will serve as the primary sponsor of Caruth’s truck. Named in honor of the Black driver who became a popular figure in sport in the 1960s and ’70s, the foundation provides resources to underprivileged Black youth in southern Virginia.
Scott became the first Black driver to win a race in NASCAR’s Cup Series, in 1964. He remained the only Black driver with a win until Bubba Wallace won races the past two seasons.
Of course, the goal of any Craftsman Truck Series driver is to move up the ranks to drive in the Cup Series. Caruth is happy to have the opportunity.
“I am extremely honored, and really excited to join GMS Racing and be in the fold of a professional race team with so much history,” Caruth said in a statement (via NBC Sports). “I’ve been waiting for an opportunity like this throughout my whole career, and I’m going to do the best in my power to make the most of it.”
[NBC Sports, Photo Credit: NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series]
