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MARTINSVILLE, VIRGINIA - MARCH 28: Rajah Caruth, driver of the #88 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, waits on the grid prior to the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series NFPA 250 at Martinsville Speedway on March 28, 2026 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)

NASCAR Driver Rajah Caruth took full responsibility after another major incident with Jesse Love changed Saturday’s NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Dover Motor Speedway. The two young NASCAR drivers crashed while battling near the front during the BetRivers 200, continuing a growing rivalry that has already produced several incidents this season.

The trouble started on a restart around Lap 100 when Caruth’s No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet got loose entering the corner beside Love’s No. 2 Richard Childress Racing car. Both drivers slammed into the outside wall, bringing out a caution and damaging strong race cars.

Love dropped to a 23rd-place finish after repairs, while Caruth recovered to finish 14th. After the NASCAR Dover race, Caruth openly admitted he pushed too hard and accepted blame for the crash.

NASCAR Driver Rajah Caruth Explains Dover Motor Speedway Crash With Jesse Love

The NASCAR restart at Dover Motor Speedway quickly turned into one of the biggest moments of the race. As the field accelerated into the corner, Caruth slid up the track and made contact with Love.

The crash ended a promising run for both teams. Before the wreck, Caruth had scored top-five finishes in both opening stages and looked like a serious contender in the NASCAR series event. Love also showed strong speed before heavy damage ruined his afternoon.

After leaving the infield care center area, Caruth addressed the incident directly.

“Yeah, but it’s on me to control the car. Obviously, I’m sorry to those guys. It’s my responsibility to control the car. I definitely didn’t expect it to go three-wide there.”

The Dover Motor Speedway crash marked the third major incident between Caruth and Love in less than two months. The two NASCAR drivers also made contact earlier this season at Martinsville Speedway and Rockingham Speedway.

Love’s crew chief, Danny Stockman, reacted immediately over team radio after the accident.

“You got Rajah’d, huh?” Stockman told his driver.

NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Pressure Builds for Rajah Caruth

NASCAR Driver Caruth admitted the repeated incidents have become difficult to explain, especially after several costly mistakes in recent NASCAR races.

“I’ve said sorry a lot, and I don’t really know how to handle that because I’ve been in the wrong the last two times. None of it has been on purpose.”

The 23-year-old NASCAR driver also spoke about the pressure he feels as he fights to secure his future in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.

“I’m racing for my life out here. Nothing is guaranteed. I don’t know what my future holds, and I feel like I’ve got to make the most of the opportunities I have.”

Caruth admitted that his mindset has at times led him to become too aggressive during races this season.

“I’ve crossed the line and gotten too aggressive with it a lot this year. I just feel like I’m racing for my life right now and trying to make the most of it.”

The caution also changed the flow of the NASCAR Dover race as teams adjusted pit strategy and track position during the middle stages of the event.

Dover Motor Speedway Race Ends With More Damage for Rajah Caruth

Even after the early crash, Caruth stayed on the lead lap and worked his way back toward the top 10 during the closing laps at Dover Motor Speedway. However, another incident damaged his car late in the race.

“At the end, we had gotten into the top 10. The No. 8 and No. 96 were on new tires and caught a lap car. Then the No. 9 kind of came down in front of me, and that’s where I got the right-front damage.”

Caruth said the final laps became difficult as drivers raced through heavy traffic at the “Monster Mile.”

“It was a tight spot, and I was just trying to maintain what we had. Honestly, the ending was kind of weird. I don’t really know.”

While much of the attention stayed on the Dover crash between Caruth and Love, Corey Day captured his first career NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series victory. The latest incident between the two drivers now adds another chapter to one of the most talked-about rivalries in the NASCAR garage this season.