Stephen A. Smith praises Rajah Caruth after NASCAR Truck Series win at Nashville

Rajah Caruth's victory in Friday's Rackley Roofing 200 at Nashville Superspeedway attracted the attention of one of the biggest names in sports media. 

On Monday's telecast of ESPN's "First Take," Stephen A. Smith commended Caruth's performance at Nashville. Both Caruth and Smith graduated from Winston-Salem State University. 

After his pit crew helped get him to the lead late in the race, Caruth held off Corey Heim and Layne Riggs in the closing laps to notch his second career win and his first of 2025. The win also ensures Caruth a berth in the Truck Series playoffs for the second season in a row. 

"I got to wipe my tears," Smith said as he watched the highlights of Caruth's win. "I don't want to get emotional, but I'm proud of the young fella handling his business like he did those last 15 laps. He had some champions on his heels, but he handled his business. (He) held it down and ended up winning for the first time at Nashville."