Spire Motorsports will field the Nos. 7, 71 and 77 Chevrolet Silverados full time in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS). An all-star driver lineup will rotate throughout the 2024 season in the No. 7 Chevy. Rajah Caruth will drive the No. 71 entry and Chase Purdy rounds out the team’s fleet of Chevrolets in the No. 77.
The Fresh from Florida 250 from Daytona International Speedway will be televised live on FS1 Friday, Feb. 16, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The first of 23 NCTS races on the 2024 schedule will be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.
Rajah Caruth – Driver, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado
Rajah Caruth revs up for his second full-time NCTS season, kicking off with the Fresh from Florida 250 at Daytona International Speedway this week. Caruth will pilot the No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado with HendrickCars.com as the primary sponsor for 10 races, including Daytona.
HendrickCars.com is the online home for everything Hendrick Automotive Group. Visitors can shop thousands of new or pre-owned vehicles, locate centers for service and collision repair, receive a value to sell or trade their car, chat online with customer service, discover career opportunities, learn more about vehicle protections programs, and explore how the company gives back to the community.
The 21-year-old Washington D.C. native raced his first full-time season in NCTS in 2023, earning four top-10 finishes and coming home 16th in the division’s season-ending point standings.
Catch Caruth answering questions at the Chevy Display in the midway on Thursday, February 15th, at 4 p.m. EST.
Caruth was named the 2021 Wendell Scott Trailblazer Award recipient in the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series, an award based on a driver’s final Weekly Series national standing and on-track performance, sportsmanship and community service.
Caruth started racing professionally online for the first time in the eNASCAR Ignite Series. He finished 20th in points. Caruth still races with iRacing for recreation.
Veteran crew chief Chad Walter has over two decades of experience and began his career with Hendrick Motorsports in 1996. Some of Walter’s most notable accomplishments include a pair of Daytona 500 victories (2001 & 2003) with Michael Waltrip, along with Cup Series wins with Steve Park and Terry Labonte.
Rajah Caruth Quotes:
What have you learned from racing Daytona last year that you can apply to this year?
“I’ve learned how turbulent the air is, because the truck on this track is not easy to drive, especially when you’re in the middle of three wide or the bottom of two wide. I’ve learned a lot over the years from just watching truck races, Cup races, being on the spotter stand, which is what I’ve done that last three or four years.”
What’s the most unique or challenging aspect of racing at Daytona compared to other tracks?
“One of the most challenging things for me to understand is that you can’t do it yourself. Some racetracks you can just do it on the speed of your truck, or you can find a different line that other guys may not have found. At Daytona it’s usually based off working with others or at the mistakes of other people.”
What’s your goal this season with Spire Motorsports?
“It’s hard to set on a numeric value, but honestly especially with how things ended last year, hopefully a playoff spot is in the relm of possibility. I have a few personal goals like my first top five, leading more than a lap, racing in the top 10 consistently. I do think all those will come with time and see no reason why we won’t be competing for a championship come late summer.”
Chad Walter – Crew Chief, No. 71 Chevrolet Silverado
Chad Walter has over two decades of experience and began his career with Hendrick Motorsports in 1996.
He comes to Spire Motorsports with Caruth after spending last season in the same role with GMS Racing.
Some of his most notable accomplishments include a pair of Daytona 500 victories (2001 & 2003) with Michael Waltrip, along with Cup Series wins with Steve Park and Terry Labonte.
TIL NEXT TIME, I AM STILL WORKING ON MY REDNECK!
