Rajah Caruth celebrated his first career NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victory Friday night at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, becoming the third Black driver to win a NASCAR national touring series event, joining Wendell Scott and Bubba Wallace.
The motorsports community and beyond rallied around social media to congratulate Caruth, whose respect around the garage area and beyond shined brightest in his first crowning moment.
MORE: Full race results | History, family intersect for Caruth in breakout win
But one of the people who reached out to congratulate Caruth might catch people by surprise: Kelly Rowland.
“Yeah, bro! Yeah, man!” Caruth smiled when reminded Monday by NASCAR.com.
The famed singer, actress and television personality — perhaps best known for her time spent as a member of Destiny’s Child — posted a celebratory Instagram story and wrote “I’m so happy for you!!” after tagging Caruth, with whom she connected last year at the Busch Light Clash at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
“Yeah, Auntie Kelly, man, she’s very cool,” Caruth said. “We got connected over a year ago at the Clash. And now we have a more personal connection. So it’s been great to have her support in a lot of different ways.”
Rowland was far from the only big name to offer Caruth kudos. Longtime New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara called his win “legendary” while actor Mekai Curtis from TV show “Power Book III: Raising Kanan” connected with Caruth.
“I’ve had so much support and so I really appreciate it,” Caruth said.
See a sampling of the flurry of congrats that came Caruth’s way:
Drivers, athletes, musicians and so many others agree …
That @rajahcaruth_ win was big! pic.twitter.com/5pgbfjvwKy
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) March 5, 2024
What a massive win for the little bro!
What a monumental win for our sport!
Proud is an understatement!
LFG!!!!!!! @rajahcaruth_
— Bubba Wallace (@BubbaWallace) March 2, 2024
Incredible. Good job @rajahcaruth_ @SpireMotorsport @HendrickCars https://t.co/nm1cO8JuxS
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) March 2, 2024
LFG!! So deserving! @rajahcaruth_
— Kyle Larson (@KyleLarsonRacin) March 2, 2024
That’s big!! @rajahcaruth_ 🏁 enjoy it.
— William Byron (@WilliamByron) March 2, 2024
Several drivers and crew members congratulated Rajah Caruth as he drove down pit road to get to victory lane Friday night at Las Vegas. pic.twitter.com/Uq31EvWWNV
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) March 2, 2024
CONGRATULATIONS @rajahcaruth_!! Winner of the NASCAR Truck Series race in Las Vegas 🏁
He joins Wendell Scott and Bubba Wallace as the only Black drivers in history to win a NASCAR national series race.#rajahcaruth #wendellscott #wendellscottfoundation
h/t: @NASCAR pic.twitter.com/Om5MCCqTRo
— Wendell Scott Foundation (@WendellScott_34) March 2, 2024
It was just a matter of time. So proud of you kid @rajahcaruth_
— Tommy Joe Martins (@TommyJoeMartins) March 2, 2024
In case you don’t know him, @rajahcaruth_ is a very good dude. Congratulations man.
— Rick Mast (@rickmast22) March 2, 2024
.@RossChastain comes to victory lane to congratulate @rajahcaruth_. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/bJZk0xNNGN
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) March 2, 2024
Raj is a 10/10 human.
He’s always worked hard and has been a student of the sport. Proud to have known him for as long as I have and even more proud of how far he’s come.
Having met Raj back in 2018 (AS A FAN) this dude has proven so much.
Congrats dude!!! pic.twitter.com/shksYfk3ZX
— Ryan Vargas (@RyanVargas_23) March 2, 2024
BIG DUB for the fella @rajahcaruth_ Atta boy.
— Corey LaJoie (@CoreyLaJoie) March 2, 2024
3/3 wins for team spire!!! LFG RAJAH!!
— Carson Hocevar (@CarsonHocevar) March 2, 2024
My boy @rajahcaruth_ hell yes brother so dang proud of that kid
— Josh Williams (@Josh6williams) March 2, 2024
Congrats @rajahcaruth_ ! Very cool. @SpireMotorsport
— Marco Andretti (@MarcoAndretti) March 2, 2024
Hard to find someone as universally liked/loved in the garage area. The phrase “first of many” can be overused, but definitely isn’t with @rajahcaruth_. Kid is a champ.
— Ryan Ellis (@ryanellisracing) March 2, 2024
Pumped for @rajahcaruth_ and @TeamChevy – what a night and what a start to the season for the bowtie….
— Justin Marks (@JustinMarksTH) March 2, 2024
Congratulations @rajahcaruth_ !! Awesome win!
— Rodney Childers (@RodneyChilders4) March 2, 2024