It's been a long time coming, but Rajah Caruth finally joins Davey this week (12:10) for an all-encompassing conversation. The duo touch on his upbringing in Washington DC, getting hooked on NASCAR, sim racing, mentorship from Bubba Wallace, his rapid progression up the ranks, the announcement of him moving to the Xfinity Series part-time in 2022 with Alpha Prime Racing and more.
Caruth explains how his relationship with Tommy Joe Martins began and progressed to this point, why moving up to Xfinity next season is the right choice, all the while with his focus remaining on ARCA with Rev Racing, and how much he's learned every step along the way. A surprise road trip to Richmond in 2014 changed his life forever, and he recalls the moment he knew being a race car driver was what he wanted to do, including the subsequent steps he took to try and accomplish his goal.
Dealing with everything life has thrown Caruth's way, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, hasn't been easy, though. He gets real about struggles on and off track over the last couple years, dealing with racism as one of a few African-American drivers in NASCAR, moving to North Carolina from DC and starting college full-time while racing, his mentorship from Bubba Wallace, how their relationship progressed and more.
Plus, the two chat about his first late model victory, what the DMV actually is, whether or not he can actually dunk, if he could've had a career as an Olympic caliber runner, some unique opportunities he's gotten over the year, including acting for BET, a Louis Vuitton photoshoot, being honored at a Wizards game and reflecting on where he is in his racing career.
Davey recaps the regular season finale from Daytona and previews the 10-race stretch, beginning this weekend at Darlington, while Papa Segal (and Mama Segal!) give an ode to the man called "Mongo."