Lucky 13 rides along with the driver who qualifies 13th, keeping an eye on how their race unfolds. This driver could be sent to the back of the pack and still pull off a victory, or their luck could take a nosedive early in the race. With luck on their side – or against them – anything can happen! So, grab your four-leaf clovers, your lucky horseshoes, and maybe even a rabbit’s foot for the latest Lucky 13! Will it be fortune or misfortune? Let’s find out!
Fresh From Florida 250
Driver: Rajah Caruth
Organization & Number: Spire Motorsports, #71
Crew Chief: Kevin Manion
Spotter: Eddie D’Hondt
“It’s already written. Let’s go to war.” – Rajah Caurth
Stage 1
After a round of thank yous, Rajah Caruth took the green flag for the opening race in the 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. On the opening lap, Caruth gained two spots and was immediately knocking on the door of the top 10.
As is typical of superspeedway racing, the two lines took turns surging and Caruth dropped to P15.
On Lap 4, spotter Eddie D’Hondt was repeating, “Packed tight ahead.” But the very next lap saw the first caution of the night as Kaden Honeycutt went for a spin after a push from the No. 38 of Chandler Smith.
Crew Chief Kevin Manion noted the No. 71 team, running P14, would stay out under caution. The goal for the opening stage was to earn stage points.
The racing resumed on Lap 10 and once again, Caruth was inching toward the top 10.
With six to go in the stage, Caruth was still sitting P11, but the caution immediately waved again as Toni Breidinger wrecked off Turn 4.
Manion once again made the call to stay out. This would have Caruth restart in P10 with one to go in the stage. D’Hondt and Caruth talked strategy and who to run with and avoid in the closing lap that was bound to be chaotic.
While stage points were the goal, D’Hondt reminded his driver, “Clean truck.” With that, the stage ended with Caruth in P12.
Stage 2
Caruth came to his crew for fuel and adjustments to prepare for the start of the second stage. That start saw Caruth line up P13 for the 15-lap stage. This time, the Washington, D.C. native took the top lane and lined up behind Grant Enfiaaanger.
Caruth found himself in the middle of a three-wide pack coming down the backstretch on Lap 8 of the stage. D’Hondt reassured his driver, “I’ve got you.” Caruth, running P20, responded, “I’m good!”
Three laps later, D’Hondt got his driver back in the top lane but was still in a three-wide situation. After one more lap of chaos, drivers settled back into two lanes.
With seven to go, drivers opted to resume three lanes and Caruth was back in the middle, but back in P13.
While Matt Crafton led the way, Caruth found himself back in the top 10. After a great deal of jockeying, Caruth settled into P18 with four to go. Then, taking two to go, Caruth sat P12 at the end of a long single-file line.
The stage ended with the No. 71 team earning a stage point with a P10 finish.
Stage 3
Caruth came to his crew once again for fuel, tires, adjustments, and repairs to the right front fender. Before the green waved, Caruth was called to the pits to once again work on the fender damage.
With 46 laps in the rearview, D’Hondt said, “Here’s where we wreck a bunch of trucks.” Caruth lined up for the start of the final stage and quickly broke into the top 20 as he worked his way forward.
The fifth caution waved when Tyler Ankrum blew a tire on Lap 49. Caruth was sitting P16, just behind his teammate Andres Perez.
Manion decided to “pit when pit road opens – gas only.” Once everyone took to the pits, Caruth started P12 with 44 laps remaining in the race. He immediately rocketed to P8 and maintained his position on the top line.
With 38 to go, he found himself back in the middle of three. Then he was left hanging out and fell to P15 before he was picked up by Spire Motorsports teammate, Michael McDowell.
On Lap 66, Manion called Caruth to pit road for a green-flag pit stop. After topping off on fuel, Caruth returned to the track to finish out the race.
The caution came out as Clay Greenfield slammed the inside wall and Caruth hit the top 20. Under caution, most of the field took to the pits, but Caruth was set and was able to stay on track. This allowed him to restart on the front row with 25 to go.
The entire field was three wide with rookie, Gio Ruggiero leading the way.
One lap later, Chandler Smith took to the front and Caruth fell to P16 amidst the shuffling.
At one point, drivers were running four wide and, somehow, keeping it clean.
But with 18 to go, Caruth’s luck ran out. He was run over, sent spinning, and slammed the inside wall.
Lots of trouble. pic.twitter.com/qheb8Cudxf
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 15, 2025
He radioed in that he was okay, then apologized to his team, stating, “There was nothing I could do there.”
After a Parker Kligerman disqualification, Caruth would finish the night P30.
Sponsor Shout-out + Social Round-up
NASCAR fans know sponsors make the sport go ’round. We want to give a shoutout to HendrickCars.com who played a huge part of the weekend for Rajah and the No. 71 team.
Be sure to give Rajah Caruth (Facebook, Instagram, X) and Spire Motorsports (Facebook, Instagram, X) a follow to keep up with the latest news from the driver and team.
