Layne Riggs is set to make a significant impact in the 2026 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series season opener at Daytona International Speedway on Friday, February 13. After an impressive 2025 season where he finished fifth in the driver standings, Riggs aims to leverage his momentum as the series kicks off with a 100-lap race under the lights at the iconic 2.5-mile superspeedway.
With the primary focus keyword Layne Riggs Daytona Race, this event is expected to be a pivotal early test for Riggs and the No. 34 team as they look to build on last year’s momentum and contend for the championship.
Highlights from Riggs’ Previous Season and Team Stability
Riggs’ 2025 performance showcased his capability, recording three wins, 13 top-five finishes, and 16 top-10s. Now back with the No. 34 team, he enters 2026 confident and consistent. The team’s sponsor Love’s Travel Stops remains committed for the new season, delivering essential support and rewards to fans through the Love’s Connect App, which offers fuel discounts and exclusive deals.
Riggs expressed optimism heading into Daytona, emphasizing the value of team consistency:
“We’re all itching to get back to the track,”
he said.
“We didn’t make a lot of changes to the road or pit crew this off-season, so there’s a lot of comfort heading into Daytona knowing you have a reliable and proven team. These superspeedway races are always a gamble, and it’s more about surviving to the end in a good enough position to win. Chander (Smith) and I work well together as teammates, so I know we’ll be able to get to the front, it will just come down to avoiding the chaos.”
– Layne Riggs, NASCAR Driver
Detailed Team Composition Supporting Riggs
The No. 34 team’s strength extends through both its road and pit crews. Key figures include Crew Chief Dylan Cappello, Truck Chief Brandon Selph, and Engineer Jonathan Coates, each contributing vital expertise. The pit crew features Blake Hickman and Steven Chereek as tire changers, with Alvin Wilson as tire carrier, and Kendall Futrell handling the jackman role. Fueling and spotting duties are managed by Patrick Gaddy and Josh Williams, respectively, supported by mechanics Clark Houston and Robert Benzenhafer, along with interior specialist Brian Sliney and transport driver James O’Neil.
Chandler Smith’s Build-Up and Conservation Partnership
Sharing the focus at Daytona is teammate Chandler Smith, who returns to Front Row Motorsports in the No. 38 Ford F-150. Smith and his team have partnered with Go Outdoors Florida and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) for the season opener. This collaboration showcases the FWC’s TrophyCatch program, engaging anglers statewide to document largemouth bass weighing eight pounds or more and contributing to citizen-science efforts while providing prizes and incentives.
Roger Young, Executive Director of the FWC, highlighted the significance of this partnership:
“We’re proud to partner with NASCAR and bring Florida’s conservation story to one of the largest audiences in American sports,”
he stated.
“This collaboration is an exciting opportunity to connect with outdoor enthusiasts and highlight the importance of protecting our state’s world-class fisheries and wildlife.”
– Roger Young, Executive Director, FWC
Smith’s Performance and Confidence Heading Into the New Season
Chandler Smith’s Daytona record includes an average finish position of 10.3 in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. In 2025, Smith earned two wins, five top-five finishes, and 16 top-10s, indicating strong potential alongside Riggs. Smith acknowledged the growth his team experienced last season and expressed confidence in their current readiness:
“We definitely went through some growing pains as a team last season, being a new group put together on short notice, but we still achieved a lot,”
he shared.
“Now heading into the new season, I think we’re in a much stronger position. It was my first season with the team, and I was still learning how everything worked and building chemistry with the crew. With a full year together now, I really believe we can make a serious run at the championship.”
– Chandler Smith, NASCAR Driver
Front Row Motorsports’ Crew Behind Chandler Smith
Smith’s road crew features Crew Chief Jon Leonard, Truck Chief Ron Schutte, Engineer Roland Kummel, and mechanics Rowan Mason and Mahlon Borkholder. Kyle Clark oversees tire and interior duties, with spotter Ryan Blanchard assisting in race strategy. The pit crew includes tire changers Josh Francos and Curtis Thompson, tire carrier Drew Baum, jackman Shane Perry, and fueler Anthony Bryarly, supported by transport driver Mark Hadley.
Essential Roles of Sponsors and Industry Partners
Love’s Travel Stops, a longstanding sponsor for Riggs and the motorsports community, operates 651 locations across 42 states and continues enhancing services with the latest travel convenience offerings. Their mobile platform rewards fans and professional drivers alike, exemplifying the company’s commitment to fuel customers and communities.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission safeguards wildlife resources vital to both residents and millions of visitors, making their partnership with NASCAR and Front Row Motorsports a high-profile effort to advocate conservation through sport.
Front Row Motorsports, based in Mooresville, North Carolina, fields competitive entries in both the NASCAR Cup Series and the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. Founded by Bob Jenkins in 2004, the organization is known for landmark achievements such as the 2021 Daytona 500 win and the 2022 Truck Series championship, reinforcing its reputation as a formidable competitor.
Anticipated Impact and Outlook for the 2026 Season
The start of the 2026 season at Daytona presents a critical opportunity for Layne Riggs to build on his promising results from 2025. With a seasoned team and consistent sponsorship backing, Riggs is positioned to navigate the complexities of superspeedway racing and contend for victories early in the year. Meanwhile, teammate Chandler Smith’s rising momentum and strategic partnerships amplify the competitive and cultural presence of Front Row Motorsports in the NASCAR landscape.
The combination of skilled crews, strong driver chemistry, and valuable sponsor collaboration suggests both drivers could be in contention for significant success not only at Daytona but throughout the extended 25-race Truck Series calendar. For fans and followers of professional stock car racing, this season promises intense competition and captivating performances as Riggs and Smith look to secure wins and chase the coveted championship.
