JR Motorsports (JRM) is emerging as a dominant force in NASCAR’s Xfinity Series. With Justin Allgaier delivering an incredible performance on the track and confirmed to return in 2025, the team is poised for another strong season. Team owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. is gearing up for a significant year, bolstered by several exciting developments.
First, Sammy Smith is set to take over the #8 car, which will feature the same iconic font Dale Jr. once raced with. Rising NASCAR talent Connor Zilisch will pilot the #88 car full-time, while Carson Kvapil will handle the #1 car. But the buzz doesn’t stop there—rumors suggest another high-profile driver could join the JRM lineup in 2025.
One name making waves is Rajah Caruth. The Spire Motorsports driver had a breakout season, earning his first career win and becoming only the third African-American driver to claim victory in NASCAR’s National Touring Series. Along with two pole positions, Caruth capped the season with an impressive seventh-place finish in the standings. Though some speculated he might move up the ranks, Spire Motorsports has retained him for 2025, with HendrickCars.com as his primary sponsor. Co-owner Jeff Dickerson expressed his confidence in Caruth, stating, “He exceeded every expectation we had and has proven himself as a leader on and off the track.”
While Caruth’s full-time plans in the Truck Series are solidified, there’s speculation about part-time opportunities in the Xfinity Series. With Brandon Jones’ future in the #9 car uncertain, Caruth could be a contender to drive it part-time in 2025. This rumor gained traction following his stunning maiden win in Las Vegas earlier this year. At the time, Caruth was balancing his Truck Series commitments and completing a Bachelor of Science in Motorsports Management from Winston-Salem State University. Now that he’s graduated, a stint with JRM seems more plausible.
In fact, Caruth has long been linked to JRM. He was previously rumored to drive the #8 car in 2023, though the deal didn’t materialize. However, there’s growing optimism that 2025 could finally be his chance. Social media chatter has added fuel to the fire, with one post claiming, “I hear Rajah could be getting a few Xfinity starts with JRM.”
Caruth is no stranger to the Xfinity Series. Before going full-time in Trucks, he competed in select races for Alpha Prime Racing in 2022 and 2023. Last year, he also made an appearance with Hendrick Motorsports, finishing 14th at Phoenix.
If Hendrick Motorsports had a more robust Xfinity program, Caruth would likely be a key part of it. However, with their limited schedule, JRM appears to be his best opportunity for 2025. Rick Hendrick himself is a strong supporter of Caruth’s career, recognizing his potential and advocating for his success. A partnership with JRM could be the perfect next step for this rising star.
