Boris Said, Rajah Caruth join Hendrick Motorsports for Charlotte, Phoenix

In some surprising yet awesome news, Hendrick Motorsports has announced they’ll be running the Charlotte Roval and Phoenix International Raceway in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with some fascinating drivers.

First, 61-year-old Boris Said is gearing up for a drive with Hendrick at the Charlotte, while the talented Rajah Caruth will be behind the wheel for the legendary team at Phoenix, Hendrick revealed on Tuesday.

“Hendrick Motorsports will enter two additional 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series races this season with its No. 17 Chevrolet Camaro,” a press release from Hendrick Motorsports read. “Veteran road racer Boris Said will drive in the Oct. 7 Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL event while Rajah Caruth will be in the seat at the season-ending race at Phoenix Raceway on Nov. 4. Both will be sponsored by HendrickCars.com.”

Hendrick Motorsports doesn’t often take their talents to the Xfinity Series, but it’s evident they see an opportunity, and they’re riding with Said and Caruth at Charlotte and Phoenix.

Seeing Said in a Hendrick Motorsports ride is going to be a surreal moment for longtime racing fans, and Said recognizes that. He believes he has a real shot in what he called “the best car” he’s ever had, predicting it could be his last time on the NASCAR circuit if he does well.

“If I do well in this race, it’ll definitely be my last for sure in NASCAR,” Said told RACER, via Kelly Crandall. “To end like this in the best car I’ve ever had is pretty neat. It’s exciting.”

Regardless, the Roval will be a new experience for Said, who lauded the fact that he’s raced on almost every track there is aside from the Charlotte course.

“It’s funny, I’ve raced every track in the world and I’ve never raced on the Roval,” Said added. “Which is weird. But it doesn’t look like my favorite track. I’m more of a technical, high-speed kind of guy and I think the Roval looks fairly low-speed but very technical.

“But it’s a track, and I like all tracks. So, I’ll just have to figure it out.”

So what will be a good finish for Said? He’s always going for the win, and that’s the simple truth as he prepares for the Roval.

“Now I’m coming off the couch and have 20 minutes of practice, so I don’t know what to expect,” Said explained. “I don’t know if I’ll be competitive. In my head, I really want to finish in the top 10. I would be happy with that. But I always assess my goals as I’m going. If I can run in the top 10, then I want to run in the top five, and if I can do that, then I’ll do anything for a win, and I don’t care who’s going for a championship.

“But I guess I have to wait and see. I really don’t know what to expect. I know there’s a reason why 61-year-olds aren’t racing. I just don’t know if my brain has figured that out. But I still feel in good shape and from the inside out, I feel like I’m 30 years old again.”

Alas, it’ll be fascinating to watch Boris Said and Rajah Caruth behind the wheel of a Hendrick car, and more eyes will certainly be on the Xfinity Series with them on the track.