NASCAR prodigy Rajah Caruth finished 18th in his first Xfinity Series start of the season, after being given an opportunity in the No. 17 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports.
Caruth, 23, famously learned how to race via a computer and is now a full-time driver in the Craftsman Truck Series. The American won at Nashville earlier this season, his second NASCAR victory after claiming his maiden win at Las Vegas last year.
Hendrick Motorsports gave Caruth another opportunity at Kansas Speedway on Saturday, after he made his first start for the team in the final Xfinity race of the 2023 season. Caruth was among the top 10 before losing his grip, and he felt as though he could have done better.
Brandon Jones claimed victory in the Kansas Lottery 300, with NASCAR prospect Connor Zilisch finishing second. Further back was Caruth, who finished 18th, but he was toward the front of the pack until trailing off near the end.
“Yeah, I think just trying to keep up with the race track and balance,” Caruth said, reflecting on a difficult second portion of the race. “Really, what I learned today, I felt like the start of the race was pretty solid. Even the start of Stage 2.
Sign up to our NASCAR newsletter here.
“But just trying to figure it out there with where the track was going and how I was driving the thing. So, overall, just felt like I was too tight most of the day, the changes we did took the back out and didn’t help the front cut.
“Obviously, have some work to do in these cars on my end, but thankful for the opportunity from Mr. H, Linda, and everyone on this team. Thanks to everybody for letting me run this car.
“I definitely wanted better than 18th, but I learned a lot. Hopefully, it bodes well for the future.”
DON’T MISS
Caruth finished 14th at Phoenix Raceway when last racing in the No. 17 for Hendrick, but didn’t threaten the leaders. While Caruth finished four places behind his previous best on Saturday, it was a learning experience after battling with the top 10.
“I think that was really my first time racing in the top 10 in these things,” Caruth added. “Just learning the guys. Racing against some of them I kind of know their tendancies from Truck Racing with them.
“But overall, just figuring out how they are in traffic and where to put yourself. That’s really what I was learning today. Definitely feel like I could have done a better job, especially with the back part of the race.
“Felt the start of it was decent. Just some work to do and some good notes for hopefully the next opportunity.”