Layne Riggs will return to Florida this weekend to compete in the inaugural NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race at the St. Petersburg street circuit. This event marks Riggs’s first appearance on a street course, although he has prior road course experience at venues like Circuit of the Americas, Lime Rock Park, Watkins Glen, and Charlotte’s ROVAL. Riggs will pilot the No. 34 Ford F-150 in a distinctive blue and yellow design, marking Long John Silver’s debut as a Truck Series sponsor in 2026.
Reflecting on the upcoming race, Riggs stated,
“I’m not much of a road course racer, but I’m looking forward to the challenge that St. Pete presents. The first two races of the season were a struggle, but a lot of that has to do with how superspeedway races play out. There’s so much that’s out of your control, and you’re at the mercy of the drivers around you. It will be a nice reset heading into races where you have more control over the outcome. We’ve put ourselves in a hole in the points standings, but I’m confident we can climb out of it.”
?Layne Riggs, Driver
Chandler Smith Brings Street Course Experience and New Partnership
Chandler Smith steps into the weekend with an advantage on street circuits, having competed in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Chicago Street Course race in both 2023 and 2024. He posted an eighth-place finish at that event in 2023 with Kaulig Racing. Following a strong sixth-place finish at EchoPark Speedway last Saturday, Smith maintains the lead in the NASCAR Truck Series Driver Championship standings.
Smith’s No. 38 Ford F-150 will feature a fresh paint scheme as it partners with OnlyBulls for the 80-lap, 144-mile contest at St. Petersburg. OnlyBulls is a digital wallet platform designed to facilitate users’ entry into digital wealth building. Through its “Green Flag” campaign, OnlyBulls aims to transform race fans from mere spectators into active participants in the digital economy.
Race attendees have the opportunity to visit the OnlyBulls “Green Flag Garage,” where they can learn about the company’s technologies, including askROI—the AI-powered investment platform—and Bitcoin Max (BMAX), a Switzerland-based Bitcoin trust. Those who download the OnlyBulls app and create a free account during the race weekend will gain access to exclusive offers such as limited-edition racing merchandise and chances to win rides in the IndyCar Experience 2-seater.
Smith expressed enthusiasm about the weekend ahead, saying,
“St. Petersburg is going to be a lot of fun. It’s different from what we normally run, so I think that challenge is going to be something to look forward to. It’s awesome to have OnlyBulls on our Ford F-150. They’re a huge partner of some Indy Car teams that will be on track this weekend as well as the entitlement partner for the truck race. Hopefully, I can get the No. 38 OnlyBulls Ford F-150 in OnlyBulls Victory Lane.”
?Chandler Smith, Driver
Significance of the St. Petersburg Race for Drivers and Fans
The introduction of the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series to the St. Petersburg street course introduces a new dynamic to the season, blending traditional superspeedway racing challenges with the technical demands of a tight urban street layout. For Layne Riggs, this event offers a critical opportunity to reset after a difficult start to the season and demonstrate his versatility as a driver on varied circuits.
Meanwhile, Chandler Smith’s street racing experience and leadership in the championship standings provide momentum and confidence as he pursues another strong finish. The involvement of sponsors like Long John Silver’s and OnlyBulls, along with interactive fan experiences such as the Green Flag Garage, reflect the growing integration of technology and fan engagement within NASCAR events.
As the series embarks on this inaugural race at St. Petersburg, the outcomes here could influence driver standings and set the tone for upcoming road and street course events. Fans and teams alike will watch closely to see how competitors like Riggs and Smith adapt and perform on this new and challenging circuit.
