Rajah Caruth was n’t supposed to be in victory lane.
The Egyptian- American investment car driver, who won NASCAR’s Craftsman Truck Series competition in Las Vegas last month, grew up in Washington, D. C., secluded from the world of racing. The 21- yr- older did n’t possess industry connections or solid financial backing. However, his enthusiasm for playing simulated racing game has been beneficial in way he could not have imagined.
” Gaming is one of the main reasons why I started driving, time”, Caruth said during a phone interview. ” It was the only way to practice, find exposed and get better. It helped me learn how to drive and is still relevant today.
Following in the footsteps of William Byron, a successful website driver turned real-life professional vehicle, Caruth joined the eNASCAR Ignite Series in 2018, giving the youthful iRacer a chance to demonstrate his abilities beyond online race. Since turning pro in Spire’s No. 1 in 1999, his career has been on the rise. This year’s Chevy Silverado is the 71 after last year’s GMS Racing competition.
His first career win last week in Las Vegas sheds light on the impact iRacing, a racing simulation video game, is having on NASCAR’s talent pipeline. Celebrities like Kelly Rowland and Dale Earnhardt Jr. have hailed Caruth’s victory over him. He is just the latest illustration of how those who face social, economic, and geographic barriers can gain a unique perspective on the sport.
” It’s a big asset”, said Caruth, who was featured in documentary Outside Line. ” For the most part, racing is a Southeastern or Midwest thing, and if you do n’t grow up in those areas or have connections, there’s no way to get in. That limits it to a certain group of people, but the ease of sim racing makes it accessible to anyone.
Wendell Scott and Bubba Wallace join Caruth as the third black driver to win a NASCAR National Series race. Former NASCAR drivers Wallace and Caruth both worked for the organization’s Drive for Diversity. Caruth’s historic win last week in Las Vegas comes as the program celebrates its 20th anniversary. His success is a win for NASCAR’s diversity campaign as well as a reassurance that its gaming strategy is successful.
” It’s the dream scenario for us”, NASCAR managing director of gaming &, esports Nick Rend said in an interview. ” It’s about community building, igniting relationships with drivers and keeping fans engaged when they’re not at the racetrack. … These things are really happening because of our strategy, and it’s amazing to see”.
Since 2008, NASCAR’s official simulation partner, iRacing, has been active since 2008, but as a result of the pandemic, NASCAR used virtual races to stay in touch with fans even though other major professional sports leagues have been shut down. NASCAR continues to increase gaming after discovering new ways to increase fan engagement and expand its talent pool.
” Gaming is more accessible now than it’s ever been”, Rend said. The cost of creating high-end simulations is all higher than ever thanks to high-speed internet connections and graphic processors. … For us, it’s fertile ground to cultivate fan interest and ignite]passion ] for future stars”.
The promotion’s efforts extend beyond the desktop, as iRacing recently obtained the necessary NASCAR license to create a console game in the simulation genre that will be released next year. In the meantime, Caruth is focusing on the truck season and making it into the Craftsman series playoffs in November, while he practiced his online skills in order to eventually advance to the elite NASCAR Cup series.
” The goal is to eventually race on Sundays, and I ca n’t get there without being successful at this level”, he said. ” I’m trying to have the best truck season we can, and I want to win,” said my immediate goal.