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NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series

Rajah Caruth Finds Competitive Pace in Rockingham Test

Rajah Caruth driving the No. 71 Hendrickcars.com Chevrolet Silverado in NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series testing at Rockingham Speedway on Tuesday, January 28, 2025. (Photo: Phil Cavali | The Podium Finish)

Rajah Caruth driving the No. 71 Hendrickcars.com Chevrolet Silverado in NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series testing at Rockingham Speedway on Tuesday, January 28, 2025. (Photo: Phil Cavali | The Podium Finish)

ROCKINGHAM, N.C. – Tuesday marked the first day of on-track activity in 2025 for the NASCAR Xfinity and Craftsman Truck Series and it took place at one of stock car racing’s most beloved tracks, Rockingham Speedway. When the trucks took to the 1.017-mile, newly-paved oval, 2024 Most Popular Driver Rajah Caruth made big leaps over the course of the day’s four testing sessions. 

Following a lengthy delay for a soaked racetrack, the two series hit the pavement under a cloudless sky. Tire wear was a significant talking point, considering the new racing surface and the amount of braking required to make it around the track in one piece.

Caruth ran over 30 laps in each session and progressively made headway each time he left the garage. He began the day finishing Session One in 21st, with a less-than-stellar 23.222-second fastest lap, almost half a second slower than the leader, Jake Garcia.

However, as the track warmed up and dried out and the No. 71 Hendrickcars.com Chevrolet crew made adjustments, Caruth climbed the scoring pylon to end the day in seventh. He knocked out a 22.549-second lap, which was much improved from the first session. Unfortunately, he was still 0.566 seconds slower than the leader at the end of Session Four, Ty Majeski.

Due to the delay in the morning, NASCAR opened two additional one-hour sessions for the Truck Series on Wednesday. Caruth ended the day 14th fastest with a 22.480-second lap. Although, this was his fastest lap of both days of testing, he was 0.592 seconds off the leader’s pace.

With a new, yet experienced crew chief, Kevin “Bono” Manion atop the pit box this year and a plethora of competitive equipment at his disposal, Caruth has high hopes for his third full-time season in the Truck Series.

“We’ve got great resources at General Motors and Chevrolet with the tech center here in Charlotte,” Caruth stated in an interview following testing at Rockingham Speedway. “We’ve got all of our simulators and our rigs.”

As one of the youngest and most talented drivers in NASCAR, Caruth is known for utilizing simulation to hone in his strategies for race day. This proves to give him a leg up against the competition, but on a completely new track like Rockingham, the challenge remains.

“I think for me, simulation is a tool that I use. With that being said, I feel like this racetrack, since it’s new, it’s kind of an unknown for everybody,” Caruth said.

Caruth and Spire Motorsports look forward to returning to Rockingham in April for the Easter weekend race, and also to starting the Truck Series season at Daytona International Speedway with the Fresh from Florida 250 on Friday, February 14th. Caruth’s goal for 2025: “[a]t the end of the day, be the best manufacturer in the sport”.

Rajah Caruth on track in NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series testing at Rockingham Speedway on Tuesday, January 28, 2025. (Photo: Ricky Martinez | The Podium Finish)

Rajah Caruth on track in NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series testing at Rockingham Speedway on Tuesday, January 28, 2025. (Photo: Ricky Martinez | The Podium Finish)

Jordan DeWitt is a Co-Managing Editor for The Podium Finish and a graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio with a dual degree in Automotive and Alternate Fuels Technology. Jordan works as an office manager for a fencing company in Michigan, but outside of work, she lives and breathes motorsports. She hopes to play a role in paving the way for women in motorsports, as well to help people chase their dreams.

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