“I Had to Make My Own Legacy”- Layne Riggs Unmasks Veteran Father’s Nepotism Disdain Days After Massive Truck Series Break

Despite the sport being in the clutches of the moneyed class to some extent, with the privileged buying their way into teams and opportunities, some drivers still prefer or have to get things the hard way. While money has become “the” factor rather than “a” factor in NASCAR, Truck Series driver Layne Riggs, son of former NASCAR driver and veteran Scott Riggs, had to clear the way and find a path for himself despite coming from a racing background.

The 2023 season was a tumultuous one for Riggs, who made his Xfinity Series debut, getting a shot at the Texas Fall race at Martinsville and Las Vegas. Fortunately, one year after his Truck Series debut, the young gun now has a golden opportunity at hand to shoot for the moon, signing a multi-year agreement with Front Row Motorsports. Reacting to this, the 21-year-old spoke his mind, sharing how he had to find his way despite his father’s Cup Series background and connections.

Late model phenom Layne Riggs details his tough and grueling journey

Considering how it’s easy and normal for young aspiring drivers to buy their way into a team or, say, get themselves a ride even if they have some history or connect in the sport, the 2022 NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series national champion might be an odd one out against the current wave of drivers. Layne Riggs got the dream opportunity for himself of running his first full-time NASCAR season when he signed a multi-year deal with Front Row Motorsports, replacing Zane Smith.

Smith, who will be transitioning to the Cup Series, will now be succeeded by the Late Model sensation in the #38 truck, who looks to make the most of his opportunity. Reflecting on the 2024 opportunity, Layne Riggs made it clear that he wasn’t the type of guy to inherit anything based on privilege but had to meticulously work his way up the ladder to get the shot.

Speaking to Sportnaut.com, Riggs said, “I had to make my own legacy. I had to do it the hard way. Dad (Scott Riggs) was one of the last in his era to make it that way and he says lightning had to strike for it to happen. Now he says lightning struck twice with this opportunity.”

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He also took the time to relay his appreciation to his new team, saying, “I’m very grateful to everyone that has helped me get here but there is a lot of work to do. Late Model to Trucks is the biggest jump and I’m ready to get to work.”

Riggs gets candid about Xfinity Series cars following his 3 starts in 2023

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After his success in NASCAR’s weekly series in 2022, Layne Riggs got his first taste of truck racing the same year when he made his Truck Series debut at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. Out of the six starts he had in the organization’s third-ranked faction, the youngster has managed to pick up two top-5 finishes along with two top-10 finishes.

He also made his Xfinity Series debut this year, scoring a top-10 finish. Getting spun around twice during his time in NASCAR’s second-tier division, Layne Riggs picked up the basics, identifying how different things are with the Xfinity Series cars when he drove for Kaulig Racing in their #11 car.

“It drives way worse,” Riggs said. “The best car here would feel like a backmarker late model. It’s so much heavier. The tires have no grid. You’re always sliding around. It’s hard to apply the power down even when you have the grip you need.”

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“In a late model here, you can be really aggressive and lean the tire and lean on everything. Here, it’s not,” said the driver, well aware of the learning curve. Layne Riggs then added, “It’s very unforgiving and on the edge. I hate to sound like a broken record, but the best can do that every lap here, but it’s hard for me after just 15 minutes.” With the youngster getting what he deserves, fans certainly have an interesting prospect to watch out for in the upcoming 2024 season.