ST. PETERSBURG, Fla – In a thrilling finale to the inaugural NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event on the tight streets of St. Petersburg, Layne Riggs emerged victorious, securing his first road course triumph and sixth win in his Truck Series career. Overcoming heavy lap traffic and fierce competition, Riggs held off Ben Rhodes and Ty Majeski to capture the checkered flag in the OnlyBulls Green Flag 150.
Strong Performances and Tactical Racing Define Final Laps
Despite pre-race expectations of chaos, the full-time Truck Series drivers provided a measured and intense battle. Starting from 28th position, Riggs methodically advanced through the field, highlighted by a daring pass on teammate Chandler Smith that earned him the stage two victory. From there, Riggs took control but faced pressure from Ty Majeski during consecutive restarts late in the race.
Riggs successfully defended his lead on the initial restart, but Majeski briefly surged ahead on the next attempt before misjudging the final corner. Seizing the opportunity, Riggs reclaimed the lead while Majeski dropped back before recovering to finish second. Meanwhile, fuel management and navigating lap traffic allowed Majeski and Ben Rhodes to challenge for the front positions in the closing laps.
Rhodes, who dominated 23 laps and won Stage 1, closed in on Riggs with three laps remaining but ultimately settled for third place. Rhodes’ continued strong form this season is notable, as he has led more laps in the first three races of 2026 than in all of 2024 and 2025 combined.
Notable Runners and Challenges for Other Competitors
The competitive top twenty featured several compelling stories throughout the event. Chandler Smith maintained a near-constant presence in the top five, while Landon Lewis impressed by running near the front for most of the race, finishing sixth with a well-preserved truck. Andres Perez De Lara also remained consistently within the top ten, solidifying his position in the championship chase.
Several drivers demonstrated resilience despite setbacks. Kaden Honeycutt and Daniel Hemric managed to overcome damage sustained during the race to finish fifth and eighth, respectively. IMSA standout Colin Braun delivered a milestone result for RAM, placing ninth for the team’s best finish so far this season.
James “Jimmy Hinch” Hinchcliffe endured a tumultuous day after a collision with Dario Franchitti led to spins and near-misses with other incidents, yet he managed a commendable tenth-place finish. Franchitti ran strongly in the top ten but compromised his race after missing a critical corner with 16 laps remaining, forcing a pit stop for fresh tires and costing him valuable track position.
Race’s Impact and Prospects for Future Events in St. Petersburg
The first-ever NASCAR Truck Series race on the urban circuit in St. Petersburg was a fitting counterpart to the IndyCar races held on the same weekend, delivering a balance of unpredictability and strategic competition. The event’s success and the disciplined effort by the drivers have set the stage for this race to return in future seasons, promising fans more intense and tactical road course racing.
“Ben Rhodes continues his amazing start of the season. After a race-high 23 laps led, he has led more laps in the first three races of the 2026 season than the 2024 and 2025 seasons combined.” – Ben Rhodes, Truck Series Driver
“James “Jimmy Hinch” Hinchcliffe endured a wild afternoon. Dario Franchitti door-slammed him, he spun twice, and dodged two more wrecks. Even still he charged back to finish tenth.” – Race Analyst
