Hendrick Motorsports adds Boris Said and Rajah Caruth to Xfinity Series lineup

Hendrick Motorsports, one of the most successful teams in NASCAR history, has announced that it will field two additional entries in the Xfinity Series for the final two races of the 2023 season. The team will have veteran road racer Boris Said and rising star Rajah Caruth behind the wheel of the No. 17 Chevrolet Camaro at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL and Phoenix Raceway, respectively.

Boris Said returns to Xfinity Series after two years

Boris Said, who has made 149 starts across the three national NASCAR series, will make his first Xfinity Series start since the 2021 season at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL on Oct. 7. Said is known for his prowess on road courses, having won the 2005 24 Hours Nürburgring and the 2010 NAPA Auto Parts 200 at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal. He has also scored eight top-10 finishes and two top fives in the Cup Series, with his best result being third at Watkins Glen in 2005.

Said, who is 61 years old, said he is excited to join Hendrick Motorsports for the ROVAL race, which is part of the Xfinity Series playoffs.

“I’m honored and grateful for this opportunity to drive for Hendrick Motorsports,” Said said. “They are one of the best teams in the sport and I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of the No. 17 car. The ROVAL is a challenging and fun track and I hope to put on a good show for the fans and the team.”

Rajah Caruth makes Xfinity Series debut with Hendrick Motorsports

Rajah Caruth, who is a full-time competitor in the Craftsman Truck Series, will make his Xfinity Series debut with Hendrick Motorsports at the season finale at Phoenix Raceway on Nov. 4. Caruth, who is 20 years old, is a product of the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program and has made 15 Xfinity starts across 2022 and 2023 with Alpha Prime Racing. His best finish was 12th at Martinsville Speedway last fall.

Caruth, who is also a student at Winston-Salem State University, said he is thrilled to join Hendrick Motorsports for his first Xfinity start with a Cup-affiliated team.

“This is a dream come true for me,” Caruth said. “I’ve always looked up to Hendrick Motorsports and their drivers and I can’t believe I get to drive for them at Phoenix. This is a huge opportunity for me to learn from the best and showcase my talent on a big stage.”

Hendrick Motorsports expands its Xfinity Series presence

Hendrick Motorsports, which has won 13 Cup Series championships and more than 270 races, has been running a part-time Xfinity Series program since 2018 with its No. 17 car. The team has competed in five races this season with four different drivers: Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, William Byron, and Alex Bowman. The group has combined for four top-10 finishes and three top fives.

Rick Hendrick, the owner of Hendrick Motorsports, said he is proud to add Said and Caruth to his Xfinity Series lineup and give them a chance to showcase their skills.

“We are always looking for ways to grow our organization and develop our drivers,” Hendrick said. “Boris and Rajah are both talented and experienced racers who deserve this opportunity. We are excited to have them join our team and represent our partners in the Xfinity Series.”

The following table summarizes the details of Hendrick Motorsports’ Xfinity Series entries for the final two races of the 2023 season:

The Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL race will take place on Thursday, Oct. 7 at 8 p.m. ET on NBCSN. The Phoenix Raceway race will take place on Saturday, Nov. 4 at 5 p.m. ET on NBCSN.

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