Bubba Wallace’s prodigy reacts to dirt sensation winning prestigious event

NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace's "little bro" Rajah Kirby Caruth congratulated Corey Day for winning the 83rd ARP Turkey Night Grand Prix on Saturday, November 30.

Caruth congratulated Day on social media, who at just 18-years-old, took the lead in the final 17 laps at California's Ventura Raceway. Day beat tough competitors like Jacob Denney and Buddy Kofoid to become the youngest winner of the prestigious event.

"Congrats @corey_day_," Caruth wrote.

The Turkey Night Grand Prix is a famous midget car race that started in 1934 at Gilmore Stadium in Los Angeles. It is one of the oldest races in the US and is now held on dirt tracks in Southern California.

Caruth made history himself this year as he became only the third Black driver to win a NASCAR national series race, after Wendell Scott and Wallace. He drove the No. 71 truck for Spire Motorsports in the Craftsman Truck Series.

Bubba Wallace praised Caruth after his win in March and wrote:

"What a massive win for the little bro! What a monumental win for our sport! Proud is an understatement! LFG!!!!!!! @rajahcaruth_."

The 22-year-old won the Victoria's Voice Foundation 200 in Las Vegas. In addition to the win, he had five top-5 finishes and 12 top-10 finishes in 2024.

---

Bubba Wallace's crew chief change "was a surprise" for Bootie Barker

23XI Racing replaced Bubba Wallace’s crew chief, Bootie Barker, with Charles Denike for the 2025 season. Barker said he is thankful for his time with the team. However, he stated on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio that the change was unexpected.

"I won't lie it was a surprise. It was a surprise. I will say this, I talked to Bubba Wallace before ... as a crew chief, let's just speak in generalities right now – rarely, does the crew chief get to set his own timetable or decide how he's going to go out. It just doesn't work that way. It's just how it is," Barker said.

Barker, who started working with Wallace in 2021, helped him win two Cup Series races. This season, the team finished 18th in points and missed out on the playoffs. Whereas, his teammate Tyler Reddick made it to the Championship 4.

Meanwhile, 23XI Racing is engaged in a legal fight against NASCAR about the current charter system along with Front Row Motorsports. Right before Thanksgiving, the teams re-filed motions and accused NASCAR of unfair practices with its charter system. As it stands, they will compete as open teams next season which will affect sponsorships and driver contracts.