Layne Riggs achieved a landmark win in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series by capturing the first-ever street course victory on the downtown St. Petersburg circuit on Saturday. In a highly competitive final stretch, Riggs conserved fuel while fending off tough challenges from fellow Ford drivers Ty Majeski and Ben Rhodes, crossing the finish line 0.879 seconds ahead to earn his sixth career win and his first of the season.
Impressive Drive From Deep in the Field
Beginning the race from 28th position among 36 trucks, Riggs displayed remarkable skill and determination as he methodically advanced through the pack. He secured seventh place in the opening 20-lap stage before winning the second 20-lap stage. Near the race’s conclusion, with about eight laps remaining, Riggs’ fuel light began flashing, casting doubt on whether he could make it to the finish line. Nevertheless, careful fuel management allowed him to hold on.
Over the 80-lap race, Riggs led a race-high 41 laps. Following his victory, he celebrated by performing victory donuts on the crowded street circuit, marking the first road course win of his NASCAR Truck Series career.
Riggs Reflects on the Unique Street Course Challenge
Speaking after the race, Riggs expressed excitement about the level of competition and racing quality the new street course provided. He noted the surprises encountered with the venue’s layout, saying it was among the most “race-y” tracks he had experienced in his time in the truck series. Though this marked only his fifth road course race ever, Riggs embraced the challenge with enthusiasm.
“It was a lot of fun racing here at St. Pete, I think everybody heard street course and thought they weren’t going to be able to pass and there wouldn’t be great side-by-side racing, but this was one of the race-iest tracks we’ve ever gone to at least in the truck series in my time,” Layne Riggs, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver
“I call myself a road racer now. It’s amazing to race so many well-known guys, going past some and knowing these guys are road course ringers and we were faster today,” Layne Riggs, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver
Competitive Action Highlights the New Street Course
The 1.8-mile downtown St. Petersburg circuit, featuring 14 turns along the waterfront under sunny skies, provided an engaging backdrop for the series’ inaugural street race. Riggs’ dominant lead reached more than two minutes at one point, but lapped traffic in the final 10 laps allowed Majeski and Rhodes to narrow the gap dramatically.
On the final lap, Majeski seemed poised to launch a last-ditch attack for the win but overshot Turn 13 for the second time during the race, losing momentum. Despite this, Majeski maintained his second-place finish.
Majestic Performance from Ty Majeski
Ty Majeski, the 2024 series champion, also praised the street course’s racing quality after starting 22nd and spending two laps in the lead. He described the track as “racey” with three clear passing zones and noted the importance of balancing aggression and caution.
“It was probably the most fun I’ve had in a race car in a long time. A lot of fun. It’s a racey race track with three good passing zones and rewards discipline,” Ty Majeski, 2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Champion
“Just finding that balance between being aggressive and making mistakes and staying disciplined. Just made a little mistake into [turn] 13, got a little wheel-hop and had to chase it and battle my way back. Hope everyone enjoyed the show. We passed a lot of trucks today,” Ty Majeski, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver
Ben Rhodes Battles Fuel Woes in Final Laps
Ben Rhodes, who led 23 laps earlier in the race, also struggled with fuel conservation towards the end, limiting his ability to challenge for the win.
“That’s all we had in the tank for our F150 here, literally I was running out of gas those last two laps,” Ben Rhodes, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver
Rhodes praised Ford Racing’s equipment, emphasizing the durability and speed of his new truck, even as many competitors faced mechanical issues.
“Really proud of Ford Racing for bringing us a fast truck. Our truck’s in one-piece and a lot of these trucks aren’t. Very excited though. Brand new truck and a good showing for it,” Ben Rhodes, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver
Notable Performances by Former Open-Wheel Stars
The race attracted the participation of former IndyCar drivers Dario Franchitti and James Hinchcliffe as well as current IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Series competitor Colin Braun, adding interest to the grid. Braun finished ninth, the highest among this group after starting 16th. Hinchcliffe ended 10th, while Franchitti faced difficulties late in the race and was classified 27th.
Ford Dominates Top Four Finishing Positions
Ford trucks claimed the top four spots, with Riggs’ Front Row Motorsports teammate Chandler Smith securing fourth after leading seven laps earlier on. The top five was rounded out by Kaden Honeycutt driving for TRICON Garage in a Toyota. Neice Motorsports teammates Landen Lewis and Andres Perez De Lara finished sixth and seventh, while Daniel Hemric and Colin Braun joined the top ten.
Riggs Highlights Team Support and Importance of the Win
Riggs credited Front Row Motorsports and sports car driver Joey Hand for their support during his road course preparation, emphasizing the significance of the victory for himself and the team.
“I think the overall headliner is that a Bahamian, North Carolina boy won on a road course against some of the best in the world. It’s a testament to everyone at Front Row Motorsports and a shout out to [sports car driver] Joey Hand who did a lot of work with me,” Layne Riggs, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver
Reflecting on the atmosphere, Riggs expressed hope that the street course event would return next year, praising the large and enthusiastic crowd as evidence of the race’s success.
“It is an amazing place to come and I don’t know why we couldn’t come back next year … I couldn’t believe how packed the grandstands were and I thought it was one of the best road course races the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series has ever seen,” Layne Riggs, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver
“Thank you to all the fans for coming out,” Layne Riggs, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver
Upcoming Season Prospects and Championship Update
Chandler Smith now leads the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship standings, holding a 34-point advantage over Ben Rhodes. The series will continue on March 20 at the historic Darlington Raceway in South Carolina for the Buckle Up South Carolina 200, a night race broadcast on FS1 and MRN. Corey Heim, last year’s champion, enters as the defending winner.
