Greensboro's African American Community Newspaper since 1967
LEBANON, TN. - Winston Salem State alumnus Rajah Caruth has won his second career race in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck series winning at Nashville Motor Speedway on Friday night (May 30). With the win, Caruth automatically qualifies for the NASCAR playoffs and will be eligible to compete for the championship at the end of the season.
Caruth came out of the pits in first place after the second stage of the race thanks to quick work by his pit crew. He entered the pits in third place, and after gaining those two crucial spots he never relinquished the lead. But it was close and drama-filled as the laps unfolded.
Caruth had to hold off Corey Heim, the top driver and points leader in the Truck series, who was on the bumper of the NO. 71 Chevrolet all the way to the checkered flag. Heim pulled side by side with Caruth at one point in the final laps, but couldn’t complete the pass. Layne Riggs eventually caught up to Heim and their battle for second place gave Caruth just enough cushion to take home the victory. Heim, who has four wins this year, held on for second, Riggs finished third.
“We’ve been off this year, but it was good to get it done tonight. That was a lot of fun. I asked myself, ‘How bad do you want it?’ I just tried my best, and we had clean air. Their stuff was better, but I just did my best. That was it.”
Rajah Caruth led a race-high 61 laps on Friday night. Heading into the race Caruth was 13th in the points standings. The NASCAR Craftsman Truck series is back on Saturday June 7 at Michigan International Speedway. The race will be televised on Fox at noon EST.
