2024 has already witnessed three historic racing weekends. And we bumped into a particularly fascinating NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race on Friday. Hendrick-endorsed Rajah Caruth showed us how he’s capable of turning the wheels of NASCAR’s history. After winning his first-ever pole position in the qualifying race, Caruth sealed the deal by snatching the checkered flag. People were all praises for him, including veteran drivers like Kyle Larson.

Caruth thundered into the victory lane, beating fellow racer Tyler Ankrum by a slim .0851 seconds. Although other drivers dominated the lead for the initial part of the race, Caruth slowly but steadily inched towards the win. His win may be a part of a long and dedicated effort that ensued over months, as testified by Kyle Larson.

Kyle Larson gives winning Caruth brownie points for hard work

In a race that was graced by the likes of Kyle Busch and Christopher Bell, Caruth proved he was as good as any proficient driver. Driving the No. 71 Chevrolet Silverado, he took the lead for the final 20 laps at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Thus, emerging as the third Black driver to win a NASCAR national series race after Wendell Scott and Bubba Wallace.

Kyle Larson, the Las Vegas Cup defending champ, talked about Caruth’s success in an interview with Frontstretch. “Oh yeah, super happy. That was really cool you know, he’s had a really good start to the season….Especially with Hendrick cars on his truck for the full season. It’s special you know, for Rick to support him like that. For him to go get the poll, get a win was really cool…I get to work out in the gym with him, and he’s like such a good guy and works really really hard too.”

Larson also shared a personal story, underlining Caruth’s striving personality- “I remember Bristol last year. This was like this time, like leading into practice. I was going to the bathroom downstairs and he was down there in the little cafeteria, watching the replay from the truck race the night before, and had his notebook doing notes. I’m like, ‘What’re you doing?’ I just thought that work ethic was really cool.”

Other drivers like Caruth’s mentor, Bubba Wallace, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. also heaped much-deserved praises and congratulations on Caruth. After graduating from NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity Program, and at just 21, Rajah Caruth is already paving a glittering career path. 

Larson further shared how he is only caring about Vegas right now. With the Cup race in Las Vegas only hours away, Kyle Larson stands as a prominent figure among the contenders. 

Read More: Rajah Caruth Sends Boss Rick Hendrick an Emotional Message Amidst “Surreal” Las Vegas Victory Lane Takeover

Pennzoil 400 expected to end with a familiar face in the lead

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The Las Vegas Cup race, Pennzoil 400, is going to be held in some time. Drivers are strapping up for an exhilarating experience. Some are going over their notes from last year’s victories, including Kyle Larson. He earned a second Las Vegas win last October, after his first win under Rick Hendrick on the same track in March 2021.

FanDuel Sportsbook shows Larson’s odds to win this race at the top, at +400. Three drivers are tied in the runner-up position at +900: Hendrick Motorsports’ William Byron, Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney, and Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin. Byron had snagged the March race win at Las Vegas last year.

The 267-lap race around the four-turn, 1.5-mile (2.414-kilometer) Las Vegas, Nevada oval is scheduled to begin at 3:30 PM ET, Sunday, 3rd March.