The Truck Series has reached the eliminator race in Kansas as the round of 10 comes to a close. While Ty Majeski and Christian Eckes are favorites going in the Kubota Tractor 200, one driver is set to upset the field and is garnering a lot of attention. Even defending Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney has taken notice of this rookie’s talent.
“I’ve liked watching Layne’s career from late models and now the Trucks. I’m really happy for him, I’m excited to see the progression of his career. I think he’s a great kid. I’ve talked to him a good bit,” Blaney had said. This came as a result of Layne Riggs already having played the spoiler twice in the playoffs.
Can he do it a third time? Well, he’s confident about the race, and what better stage than Kansas Speedway to achieve this feat?
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Layne Riggs seems confident going into the eliminator
Riggs’s Truck Series season started slowly, with just one top-10 finish in his first nine races. But he found his rhythm as the season progressed, particularly impressive for his first full-time campaign. In his last five races, he secured four top-5 finishes, including back-to-back top-5s at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park and Richmond Raceway. He then clinched his first career win at the Milwaukee Mile, leading 53 laps and beating out Ty Majeski and Christian Eckes. Many thought it was a fluke, but he silenced doubters with another win at Bristol, leading 80 laps and throwing the playoff contenders into disarray.
Heading into Kansas, as Riggs sits 11th in the driver’s standings, he exuded confidence when asked about his chances. All eyes are on him now as he looks to continue his disruptive playoff run. He said, “I went into today a lot more confident about what I needed to do the lines but yeah it’s a great facility. I love the track it’s super smooth you can move all about it you can run right against the bottom you can run all the way against the wall um they do a great job it’s got good grip but also has some tire fall off so It’s the Perfect Mile and a Half in my opinion.”
Riggs is starting the Kansas race in the 13 position but with the tire falling off the track position should not be much of an issue, what can be a problem is the windy conditions. However, the #38 is positive to navigate those. “Yeah I heard a little bit there was a little bit of Tailwind into one a little bit of headwind into three and uh yeah Kansas is usually pretty windy I remember it was revers last time we were here a lot of Tailwind in the three and it’s definitely very unsettling. I felt more used to it and comfortable now you know my second time here at Kansas,” Layne Riggs added.
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“It’s the perfect mile and a half” Layne Riggs on his impressions of Kansas Speedway.
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— Frontstretch (@Frontstretch) September 27, 2024
The young driver is all set to make it a 3 for 3 in round one of the Truck Series playoffs. And Riggs loves to play the spoiler.
Layne Riggs is enjoying playing the spoiler as he goes to Kansas
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Apart from not being in the playoffs, Riggs has had a decent run so far. In addition to his two wins, he has managed, Six top-5 finishes and seven top 10-finishes. His average finish so far has been 17.3, which is commendable for a rookie. Although Riggs too wished his goods came before and he was part of the playoffs.
He recently said, “I guess we got hot at the wrong time. Would have been nice if we did this a race or two before. I’d rather be winning races and not be in the playoffs than points racing, running third to fifth every weekend and making my way around.”
Post his last 5 races the youngster has newfound confidence going into Kansas weekend. “You know, of course, I wish we were. I feel like right now we’d be the championship favorite with, you know, a track like Milwaukee, we won at, which is really similar to Phoenix. I think that we would have been really hard to beat,” he added.
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Regardless, he is enjoying every bit of playing a spoiler and wants to continue to do so throughout the playoffs. “I’m just ready to go swinging and keep trying to win all I can and play spoiler. And I really enjoy playing that role. I feel like I can be more offensive on the race track.” As for his future plans, he is certain that he’ll run another Truck Season next year. But you never know if a promotion might be in order thanks to his recently found form.
What do you think about the youngster’s future in the series? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
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