HMS-backed Rajah Caruth looks back on “bummer of a day” in Michigan

Rajah Caruth, the Hendrick Motorsports developmental driver in the Craftsman Truck Series, spoke on his result at Michigan International Speedway. He said that the crash couldn’t showcase the speed that the Hendrickcars Chevy can offer.

Rajah Caruth entered the 2025 Michigan International Speedway Truck Series race riding high after his second career win at Nashville Superspeedway, which locked him into the playoffs. He had qualified 13th for the DQS Solutions & Staffing 250.

Unfortunately, Caruth’s Michigan race ended in disappointment during a restart while racing three-wide; he made contact with Matt Mills, which sent Caruth spinning hard into the outside walls in Turn 2. Despite the result, Caruth’s 2025 season remains a breakthrough for him. He has one win, three top-five finishes, and seven top-tens in the first 12 races of the season, which places him 10th in the Truck Series standings.

Rajah Caruth spoke with FOX reporter Josh Sims about his unfortunate outing in the Truck Series race in Michigan.

"Yeah, Josh, that was a bummer of a day. I mean, we had a flat tire to start the race and then spent all the first two stages trying to get back on the lead lap. There, just got on the lead lap, pushing the 33, and he's leaving a big gap and I went to the middle and the 42 just didn't know I was there or what, but just a bummer. I think our truck had good speed. It showed it yesterday and just didn't really get a chance to show it."

Rajah Caruth currently drives the #71 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports. Caruth is a graduate of the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Developmental Program. In 2024, he made history by winning at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, becoming only the third Black driver to win a race in one of NASCAR’s three national series, joining Wendell Scott and Bubba Wallace Jr. The same year, he amassed one win, two poles, five top-five finishes, and twelve top-tens, ultimately finishing seventh in the Truck Series standings and also earned the Most Popular Driver award.

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Rajah Caruth claims facing Cup drivers elevates Truck pros despite getting their ‘teeth kicked in’

Rajah Caruth, fresh off his second career NASCAR Truck Series win at Nashville, spoke candidly on the "Rubbin' is Racing" podcast about the value of racing against NASCAR Cup Series drivers in the Truck Series. Caruth explained that while competing with Cup regulars like Kyle Busch, William Byron, and others can be tough, sometimes resulting in getting their "teeth kicked in", he believes their presence ultimately elevates the entire field.

"I love racing with Cup guys. I think it just makes us better. Even if we get our teeth kicked in, I think it just makes us better. I learned a lot racing with them guys and, being teammates with like Kyle Busch and William (Byron) and stuff like that, it's been great to just lean on those guys and learn," Caruth said. (1:19:16 onwards)

He emphasized that sharing the track with Sunday contenders provides invaluable learning experiences, allowing young drivers to measure themselves against the best and accelerate their development.