NASCAR 75: Caruth reflects on sport he calls ‘my everything’
As NASCAR celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2023, The Associated Press asked Rajah Caruth, a 20-year graduate of the Drive for Diversity program and a student at Winston-Salem State University, to write an essay about the series and its role write in his life:
What does NASCAR mean to me?
NASCAR is for some Southerners driving in circles. Watching yourself on TV might be a cool thing for some. For others, it’s something they were born into, nurtured for, or just plain good at.
For me it’s none of them. NASCAR is my everything.
What came from my first viewing of the Pixar film Cars in 2006 has become part of my identity and soul. Even before I was lucky enough to take off as a driver, racing was the first thing on my mind in the morning, the last thing on my mind when I went to sleep, and much of what lay in between.
Due to my relatively late entry into driving compared to my competitors, I became more than just a student of the sport – I became obsessed. I collected every diecast my family could afford, watched every single Truck, Nationwide and Cup practice, qualifying and race, and watched the 2014 onboard videos in class throughout high school . From the typically tight finishes and flashy paintwork to the intriguing facilities and interesting personalities, I’ve consumed everything NASCAR-related.
From “NASCAR: The Complete History” by Greg Fielden (bis) Shows like “NASCAR Now” on ESPN with Dr. Jerry Punch and Ricky Craven and Dave Despain’s “WindTunnel” and even NASCAR stop motion and video game content on YouTube. I have come to love this sport the more I have learned and the more I have met the people who make it possible.
To have the opportunity to a) race FULL TIME in the Craftsman Truck Series and b) race a Chevrolet Silverado RST with the Wendell Scott Foundation is really special to me. Almost every opportunity I had at school, I did projects on Wendell and his family. From Black History Month to National History Day projects, I’ve known the legacy of his efforts on and off the track for years.
The fact that I’m the young black guy who can add to that productive legacy and start my own is tremendous to me and I can’t wait to show what I’ve got on the track. I welcome the opportunity to represent the Scott family, my blood family, those who have supported me to this point, and those who look like me, share my background and aspirations. With great power comes great responsibility.
Today I find myself – hopefully and God willing – on a path that will see me compete against the men I’ve worshiped on Saturdays and Sundays, and that potential drives me every day.
The realities, hardships and obstacles of being black in a predominantly white sport pale in comparison to my admiration, passion and love for it. For as long as I can remember, NASCAR has been everything I’ve wanted to be apart of and I will do whatever it takes to be one of the all-time greats.
— RKC
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AP Auto Racing: https://apnews.com/apf-AutoRacing and https://apnews.com/hub/daytona-500