“I think it’s going to be a good night for us.” The No. 38 Ford Front Row Motorsports crew chief Dylan Cappello predicted ahead of the Truck playoff race in Bristol. Layne Riggs had the highest confidence to continue his late-season dominant streak. Despite his lack of a playoff spot, Riggs decided to emulate Chris Buescher at Watkins Glen.

He put in his ultimate playoff spoiler suit, and as his Truck Series rivals battled to stamp tickets into the Round of 8, his team paved the path for him.

Layne Riggs stuns fans with consecutive glory

Just last month, the Truck Series witnessed former NASCAR star Scott Riggs’ son bring his first win. Although he injured his arm in a celebratory frenzy, Layne Riggs had fixed himself on the victory path. He used his winner’s charm at the Unoh 200 race at Bristol Motor Speedway, throwing a wrench in playoff drivers’ plans. While Christian Eckes, Corey Heim, and Rajah Caruth got into a dogfight for runner-up, Riggs maintained a huge distance with them in the winner’s spot.

In the post-race interview, Layne Riggs immediately oozed words of appreciation for his crew chief. “Oh my gosh. We have just learned so much with the cars and trucks. My team, my crew chief Dylan – he’s bad**s. He works so hard.” Then he went on to laud the No. 38 FRm team: “We’re a young team. I think all the guys in the team – the average age is 20. So it’s so amazing. To be running 5th, 10th, and going back-to-back in the playoffs – man, I wish I was in the playoffs so bad. It would have been really great to win this championship.”

With the phenomenal assistance of his team and crew chief, Layne Riggs tackled the unique Bristol track. He anticipated the same amount of fun for the incoming Cup race. “I’m just a bad bug, that’s what they said over the radio…Man, the drive was so fun tonight. I’m so glad they put the PJ1 into the track. I mean, you can run in the bottom and the top and get equal lap times. I know the Cup race on Saturday night is really gonna be awesome and hope everybody tunes in.” 

Layne Riggs put up a spectacular performance as he and his FRM team shone for the second time. Yet he fended off some solid contenders one of whom poses a real threat next week.

Kansas will have one standout

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Layne Riggs had to keep a comfortable distance between him and his rivals. One of them, Corey Heim, hounded Riggs for most of the race and will do even more so next weekend. Earlier this year in May, the No. 11 Tricon Garage Toyota driver shone in Kansas. Taking the lead from Nick Sanchez on Lap 70 of 134, Heim stayed ahead the rest of the way. Beating 2022 Truck Series champion Zane Smith by 1.088 seconds, Riggs clinched the second victory this season – to be followed by three more.

So even though Riggs beat him at Bristol, Corey Heim has enough reason to be confident for next weekend’s Kansas race. Although he settled for second place, he scored enough points to advance to the Round of 8. “Every time we got a heat cycle on the tires, it seemed like we got tighter and tighter,” said Heim, who fell one spot short in his defense of last year’s victory at Thunder Valley. “Just didn’t quite have it, but solid points day in the playoffs – that’s what you need, so I will keep moving forward.” But Heim added brightly, “I’m looking forward to my favorite place next week.”

So despite Layne Riggs’ dazzling performance at Bristol, he may need to strengthen his strategy for the next race. We look forward to another thrilling last-lap battle at Kansas!