Atlanta-born NASCAR driver Rajah Caruth returned to his roots this week, visiting the Jesse Draper Boys and Girls Club to speak to middle schoolers about his professional journey in motorsports and to inspire them with messages centered on perseverance, resilience, and determination.
Standing before a room of students, the 23-year-old driver started his message by reminding them that his journey began exactly where they are now.
“I was playing video games when I was y’all’s age,” said Caruth. “I played racing games and was a fan of racing, because I hoped it would allow me to drive one day, and it was a passion that I had from a very young age.”
Unlike many drivers who began their racing careers at around 4 or 5 years old, Caruth admitted he got a relatively late start and didn’t start driving until he was 17. Growing up in Washington, D.C., there were no local go-kart or dirt tracks where he could go practice, so he sharpened his skills through driving simulators.
“The only way I really learned how to drive was online,” Caruth says. “I learned how to drive a stick with a simulator and all these different tracks that I never saw in real life from racing online.”
Ironically, that path is what led him to become one of only three African-Americans to win races at NASCAR’s national level, including victories in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in both Las Vegas and Nashville. Caruth also emphasizes that racing is far more than just being behind the wheel. He spoke about the realities of sports and highlighted the importance of engineers, pit crew members, strategists, and coaches. He adds that, unlike in other sports, such as basketball, football, or soccer, there are more losses than wins in racing.
“If you’re performing well, you’ll win a lot or finish in first place, or your team will win, whereas in racing, there’s only one winner for a field of anywhere from 20 to 40 people,” said Caruth. “Whenever you do get the chance to get a win, it’s very much of a relief because you’re not doing it by yourself.”
Caruth closes out his message to students on a clear and personal note, “I’m approachable. I’m a normal person with similar interests to you guys, and I was able to chase my dreams by just staying on course.”
