The NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series made history on Saturday afternoon by hosting its inaugural race at the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida. The OnlyBulls Green Flag 150 marked the first NASCAR event at St. Petersburg and the debut of a street course in the Truck Series. In a thrilling finish, Layne Riggs emerged victorious, claiming his first win of the 2026 season and the sixth win of his career by holding off Ty Majeski and Ben Rhodes of ThorSport Racing.
Driving the No. 34 Long John Silver’s Ford, Riggs dominated much of the race by leading a race-best 40 laps and recording the fastest lap in the Xfinity division at 78.15 seconds. This triumph also represented Riggs’ first road course win, solidifying his versatility beyond his short-track background.
Final Lap Drama Highlights Riggs’ Grit and Strategy
As the race neared its conclusion during the 80-lap contest, Riggs approached the white flag with Majeski and Rhodes closely trailing side-by-side, setting up an intense battle for second place. Majeski, determined to claim the win, pushed past his teammate Rhodes and aggressively challenged Riggs throughout the final lap.
Despite appearing to struggle and swerving his truck as if running low on fuel, Riggs expertly managed his vehicle to maintain the lead. In the race’s last corner, he fended off Majeski’s late surge, crossing the finish line first by a narrow margin. Majeski settled for second place, followed by Rhodes who finished third, while Chandler Smith and Kaden Honeycutt completed the top five.
In a post-race interview with FOX, Riggs credited road-course expert Joey Hand for assisting him in preparing for the unique challenges of the St. Petersburg circuit. He shared,
“He’s the man. He helped me so much. We’ve been working on this racetrack in the simulator at Ford racing since December, and I really, really wanted to get my first win on a road course,”
emphasizing the crucial role of Hand’s guidance.
Known primarily as a short-track racer from North Carolina, Riggs entered the season aiming to prove his competence on more complex circuits. His victory at St. Petersburg fulfilled that aspiration, breaking the stereotype as he remarked,
“It’s just a dream come true. I literally said this year I just want to win a road course just to show I’m not just that short track guy.”
Former IndyCar Champions Join Riggs on the Streets
The event also featured notable appearances from retired IndyCar stars, blending diverse racing experience on the St. Petersburg street circuit. James Hinchcliffe, a six-time winner in the IndyCar Series, drove the No. 77 Spire Motorsports truck to finish in 10th place. Meanwhile, four-time IndyCar champion and three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dario Franchitti competed in the No. 1 Tricon Garage truck, ending his race in 27th position.
Reflecting on his performance, Hinchcliffe expressed satisfaction with the learning experience the race provided.
“I learned so much out there about managing tires and traffic and racing these guys out there. … It was a great effort to come from the back twice and end up in the top 10. Just can’t thank Spire enough and hopefully I get do it again one day,”
he said.
Impact on Season Standings and Future Prospects
After three races in the 2026 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, Chandler Smith currently leads the points standings, holding a 34-point edge over Ben Rhodes. Layne Riggs’ triumph at St. Petersburg significantly boosted his position, moving up 17 spots to fifth place overall. This promising development positions Riggs as a formidable contender in the ongoing season.
Riggs’ victory on a demanding street course underscores his growing adaptability and competitiveness, while the mix of experienced racers such as Hinchcliffe and Franchitti adds a dynamic element to the series. With this successful debut at St. Petersburg, NASCAR’s expansion onto street circuits may herald more varied race formats and exciting challenges ahead for drivers and fans alike.
LAYNE RIGGS WINS ON THE STREETS OF ST. PETERSBURG! pic.twitter.com/lJzMdAsobV
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 28, 2026
https://twitter.com/NASCAR_Trucks/status/2027839196098974176
https://twitter.com/NASCARONFOX/status/2027842408155590934
