Rajah Caruth Earns First NASCAR Truck Series Pole in Vegas

LAS VEGAS– “To the top!” Jamie Little exclaimed on the FS1 broadcast after Rajah Caruth, driver of the No. 71 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports put down the best lap at qualifying for the Victoria’s Voice Foundation 200 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race tonight at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Photo: Elvin Anderson Jr. / EJVisions Photography

This is the first career pole for the twenty-one year old African-American driver from Washington D.C.

Earlier in the week it was announced that the billionaire HMS owner, Rick Hendrick has extended sponsorship of the highly sought-after truck series driver from 10 to 23 races. 

When it comes down to feeling more comfortable in the seat knowing that he has the extra support from HMS, he doesn't plan on relaxing anytime soon.

"I think, definitely compared to the start of last season I think I was a little bit more erratic. I don't really want to say nervous but, more feeling like I needed to get to this spot now or 'this corner is everything' right? And that put me in some bad spots" said Caruth.

"I've just been making the best out of days and obviously I haven't been perfect but I feel like I've done a really solid job and we can just continue that tonight".

Starting on the front row for tonight’s truck race with Caruth is Christian Eckes in the No. 19 Chevrolet for McAnally Hilgemann Racing. 

Caruth’s qualifying lap time was 30.501 at a speed of 177.043 and ranks 4 spots behind Eckes in the best 10 consecutive lap averages with an average speed of 173.072.