At Phoenix Raceway, Rajah Caruth’s recent run with Spire Motorsports in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series revealed challenges and determination as he reflected on the team’s NASCAR performance. Despite strong preparation and high expectations, Caruth was forced to re-evaluate after qualifying results fell short, with the event highlighting both his potential and the mounting pressure of the playoff race.
Caruth, mentored by Bubba Wallace, entered the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval aiming to leverage his previous experience on the demanding road course. Drawing on previous campaigns in US Legends and Xfinity events at the Roval, Caruth was candid about his aspirations for the Spire Motorsports No. 71 Chevrolet. A timed lap in Friday’s practice session saw him finish 13th out of 19 drivers, clocking in at 87.92 seconds—an early sign that set the stage for a weekend full of adjustments as the team looked to gain speed and traction.
High Hopes and Early Setbacks at the Charlotte Roval
Heading into qualifying, Caruth had hoped that the changes made after practice would pay off. However, he found himself starting 18th in the lineup after a marginally improved lap time of 86.810 seconds, placing him on Row 9. Reflecting on the outcome, Caruth expressed a mix of gratitude and self-critique:
I think we’re thankful for the opportunity from Mr. H, Jeff, Bill, everybody at Spire, and those at Chevrolet as well. I definitely feel like I needed to do better for sure. I have a lot of work to do in my road racing—obviously, I should not have fallen to 18th in this truck at a road course. So, I’ve got some work to do, but overall, we probably got a good result today.
Rajah Caruth, Driver
Determined to make up ground, Caruth started strong in the race by securing seventh in Stage 1, earning four valuable stage points and immediately demonstrating his resolve. Taking advantage of early pit stops, he advanced into the top five, keeping close to Kaden Honeycutt, Daniel Hemric, and Ty Majeski by lap 22. As the race entered the crucial middle segments, Caruth showed composure, running as high as sixth among playoff contenders. When Honeycutt headed to pit road around lap 42, Caruth managed to gain even more track position.
Climbing Back to the Top Amid Race-Day Chaos
Though the intensity increased and Caruth briefly fell to 12th while Corey Heim and Brent Crews battled for the lead on lap 57, he was able to regroup just in time. In the final laps, as multiple incidents and an overtime restart shuffled the field, Caruth navigated the pressure, capitalizing on mistakes by others and pushing his Spire Motorsports machine back into contention. As the dust settled, he clinched a fourth-place finish, a performance that underscored his resilience and ability to recover.
After the event, Caruth did not shy away from holding himself accountable, stating:
I should not qualify 18th in a Spire truck at a road course.
Rajah Caruth, Driver
This sentiment echoed throughout the paddock, with Caruth’s honest self-assessment amplified on social media as he discussed where he sees room for personal growth, especially on technical circuits like the Roval.
Focusing on teamwork and execution, Caruth noted the positive aspects in his post-race reflections:
I don’t know much about it, just—I was in practice and qualifying—but I’m just glad to have a great team behind me. I figured they did a great job today; they were in the games every stop and put us in the right position. I had a good start to the second stage, but not a great start to the third one with the lane I chose. Still, we had a good result and scored good points. Obviously, staying out for the stages was just great strategy by Bono, and we all executed and did a great job.
Rajah Caruth, Driver
Caruth closed the day with a total of 45 points, demonstrating steady race management and adaptability, maintaining his standing as a playoff contender. With the first race of the Round of 8 now completed, Caruth occupies fourth in the standings with 3,050 points, clinging to a single-point advantage over the elimination line. As the playoff battles intensify, every small gain can determine a driver’s path to the championship.
Corey Heim Breaks Records in the Midst of Playoffs Drama
While Rajah Caruth’s focus remained on securing points for Spire Motorsports’ NASCAR performance, the headlines were stolen by Corey Heim. At the Roval, Heim not only claimed victory—he made history in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. By clinching his tenth win of the season, Heim set a new record for most wins in a single Truck Series season and earned his spot in the Championship 4 for the third consecutive year.
Heim’s achievement was all the more remarkable given the adversity he faced early. On the opening lap, a collision triggered by Grant Enfinger spinning Layne Riggs led to Heim’s No. 11 truck suffering heavy damage, patched with BearBond and tape. Despite the setback, Heim stormed through the pack, keeping pace with future Cup Series prospects Connor Zilisch and Brent Crews.
A pivotal moment unfolded when Heim’s crew opted for a risky pit strategy, electing to conserve older tires during the closing laps. The gamble paid off during overtime chaos, as Heim kept the lead in front of the multicar pileup at the frontstretch chicane, guiding his battered truck ahead and leading six key laps on the way to victory.
The significance of Heim’s tenth win is underscored by surpassing Greg Biffle’s 1999 benchmark of nine wins in a season—a record that once seemed out of reach. With support and guidance from figures such as Denny Hamlin, Heim’s future looks bright, and his continued dominance in 2025 has set new expectations among drivers, fans, and pundits alike.
What’s Next for Caruth, Spire Motorsports, and the Playoff Field?
For Rajah Caruth and Spire Motorsports, the challenges at the Charlotte Roval exposed areas for improvement, especially on road courses. While Caruth’s honest assessment of his qualifying struggles and race performance spotlighted both individual and team needs, he remained optimistic about his progress and credited his crew’s efforts, with special mention of strategy calls by Bono.
With a narrow margin keeping him above the playoff cutline, Caruth must now focus on maximizing each upcoming stage and possibly securing a win to finalize his spot in the title race. The stakes are especially high as playoff rivals like Corey Heim and Ty Majeski continue to raise the bar with aggressive tactics and record-breaking performances.
Meanwhile, Corey Heim’s story sets a new standard for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. As Heim celebrates a season-defining win and rapid ascent through the ranks, the rest of the field—Caruth included—must adapt, refine their strategies, and respond to the emerging talents and established stars shaping the future of the sport. For both drivers and teams, these defining moments at the Roval may serve as a catalyst in their ongoing pursuit of NASCAR supremacy and inspire the next generation of racing fans and professionals.
"I should not qualify 18th in a Spire truck at a road course."
Even though he finished 4th, @rajahcaruth_ knows he still has work to do on his road course knowledg/.
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— Frontstretch (@Frontstretch) October 3, 2025
