NASCAR’s always been a sport where the next big thing can come from anywhere, and Rajah Caruth is proof of that. From grinding in virtual racing sims to etching his name in history, Caruth’s journey is one for the books.

In 2024, he clinched his first national series win at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, joining legends Wendell Scott and Bubba Wallace as the only Black drivers to win at NASCAR’s top levels. The 2025 season saw him keep the pedal down, taking the checkered flag at Nashville Superspeedway and cementing his status as a rising star in the Craftsman Truck Series with Spire Motorsports, backed by HendrickCars.com.

But Caruth’s not just a driver, he’s a scholar too, balancing the grind of racing with a motorsports management degree from Winston-Salem State University, earned in 2025. That mix of brains and speed has fans buzzing, especially now that he’s poised to level up. Word’s out that Caruth will join JR Motorsports in 2026 for a part-time ride in the newly rebranded O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, formerly the Xfinity Series, while keeping his full-time Truck Series gig.

Running about half the 33-race schedule, he’ll share the stage with young guns like Sammy Smith and Connor Zilisch, under the guidance of championship crew chief Rodney Childers. It’s a big move, and it’s got the NASCAR world talking.

Caruth’s rise feels personal for fans. As a product of the Drive for Diversity program, he’s carried the weight of representation while proving he belongs with back-to-back Truck wins. His link to Bubba Wallace, another trailblazer, adds extra juice.

Both have ties to the program and share a knack for breaking barriers. JRM’s decision to bring him aboard, even part-time, signals a bet on his potential to climb higher, maybe even to the Cup Series someday. With the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series kicking off a new era in 2026, Caruth’s arrival is timed perfectly to make waves.

The move also shines a light on JR Motorsports’ legacy. Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s team has a history of nurturing talent, think Brad Keselowski or Chase Elliott, and Caruth fits that mold. The No. 88 car, a fan favorite from Dale Jr.’s days, could be his ride, stirring nostalgia for the days when JRM was a proving ground for future champs.

But not everyone’s cheering. Fans are split, with some hyped for Caruth’s shot and others grumbling about JRM’s shift to part-time rides over full-season contenders. It’s a bold pivot, and the fan chatter on Reddit shows just how much this shake-up has got folks fired up.

For Caruth, this is more than a schedule change. It’s a chance to race alongside the best while keeping his Truck Series roots. With Childers calling shots for the No. 1 Chevy and Zilisch tearing up Xfinity, the stage is set for Caruth to show what he’s got. As NASCAR’s 2026 season looms, all eyes are on this young star, ready to see if he can turn potential into something legendary.

Fans split on Caruth’s JRM move

Reddit’s been a hotbed of reactions to Rajah Caruth’s part-time JRM deal, and fans aren’t holding back. “I guess that takes away all the Suarez to JRM stuff. Although Junior did say it’d be a familiar face, would Rajah be that face?” one user pondered.

Dale Jr.’s tease about a “familiar face” had folks betting on Daniel Suárez, but Caruth’s Hendrick ties and Truck Series buzz make him a fitting pick. Set to run half the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, possibly in the No. 88, Caruth’s a name fans know from his Vegas and Nashville wins, but some still wonder if he’s the blockbuster JRM promised.

“Please give us the 88 Hendrick Cars car again, JRM,” another fan begged. The No. 88 is JRM royalty, driven by Dale Jr. and now Connor Zilisch, who’s been a beast with multiple Xfinity wins despite a collarbone injury in August. With Zilisch eyeing a 2026 Cup jump, Caruth sliding into the 88 feels like a nostalgic torch-pass. Fans love the idea, but it’s bittersweet.

Zilisch’s star power leaves big shoes, and Caruth’s part-time role has some questioning JRM’s focus. “So, JRM down to two full-time rides for next year? Saving up money for a Cup team. Probably not, but one can dream,” one user sighed, noting the No. 1 Chevy’s split between Zilisch and Carson Kvapil. JRM’s part-time strategy has fans speculating about a Cup Series leap, but it’s a gamble that could dilute their Xfinity dominance.

“This would play a huge role in his development. Wishing him all the luck in these select starts next season. I do truly want to see him excel and hopefully one day end up in the NASCAR Cup Series in a competitive ride,” a supporter cheered. Caruth’s Drive for Diversity roots and historic wins alongside Scott and Wallace have fans rooting for him to climb to the Cup. His Nashville victory showed he’s got the chops, and JRM’s track record of building stars like Elliott fuels hope he’s next.

But not everyone’s sold. “Every bit of news I’ve heard about JR Motorsports today has made me more and more depressed, just upset that JR Motorsports is apparently gonna have a bunch of all-star cars next season instead of full-season contenders. If Rajah was getting a full-time ride, I’d be over the moon,” one fan vented. The shift to part-timers like Caruth, Kvapil, and Zilisch has some worried JRM’s sacrificing full-season grit for a developmental experiment.

The divide’s clear. Some see Caruth as Bubba’s prodigy, ready to shine under Dale Jr.’s wing, while others want JRM to double down on full-time title chasers. Either way, Caruth’s 2026 JRM stint is set to be a proving ground, and fans are ready to watch him chase history.