Saturday night’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Kansas Speedway brought high-speed drama, late-race intensity, and one of the most unforgettable finishes of the 2025 season. Carson Hocevar, now racing full-time in the Cup Series with Spire Motorsports, made a special return to the Truck Series — and walked away with the win. But it wasn’t easy. Hocevar had to survive a wild final-lap battle with Layne Riggs, who nearly pulled off a stunning comeback from deep in the field.
This marked Hocevar’s fifth career Truck Series victory and his first with Spire Motorsports. What started as a calm, strategic race turned into a late-race showdown that fans will be talking about for a long time.
Last-Lap Chaos: Carson Hocevar vs. Layne Riggs
With just a handful of laps to go, Layne Riggs was over 1.5 seconds behind the race leader. It looked like Hocevar had the race sealed. But Riggs found a line no one else was using — right up against the outside wall — and it worked. He made up ground fast, passing several trucks like they were standing still.
Coming to the white flag, Riggs was right behind Hocevar. Going into Turn 1 on the final lap, he dove to the outside and got alongside him. Both drivers raced hard and made contact. Hocevar’s truck got sideways and slammed into the wall. It looked like he might spin out, but the impact straightened him out and helped him keep going. Riggs wasn’t as lucky. He also hit the wall and slid sideways, losing momentum.
Somehow, Hocevar stayed in control and crossed the finish line first. Fans in the stands and watching at home couldn’t believe what they had just seen — a classic Kansas finish full of grit, contact, and close calls.
Riggs’ Impressive Drive Comes Up Short
Layne Riggs might not have won, but his performance left a strong impression. After a tough pit stop during a green-flag cycle dropped him to 16th place, Riggs made an incredible charge through the field during the final stage. He passed trucks with confidence, using the high line and pushing his truck to the limit.
“I gave it my all,” Riggs said after the race. “I got to him, got into him a little, and we both hit the wall. I think he was mad at me — I think he flipped me off coming to the checkered — but hey, he won. How can you be mad if you win?”
Unfortunately for Riggs, his night got worse after the checkered flag. During post-race inspection, NASCAR officials found an issue with the bed cover on his No. 34 truck. As a result, Riggs was disqualified and lost his second-place finish.
This bumped William Byron up to second place, Corey Heim to third, Gio Ruggiero to fourth, and Stewart Friesen into the top five. Riggs, despite his incredible run, was left with nothing to show for it in the official results.
Race Turned by Key Caution
The race’s most important moment came with about 40 laps to go. Green-flag pit stops had just started, with Hocevar, Riggs, and Grant Enfinger all fighting for the lead. Hocevar stayed out an extra lap, while Riggs and Enfinger pitted earlier. But just as Hocevar was about to pit, Frankie Muniz spun through the infield grass and brought out the caution.
That caution turned the entire race upside down.
Because Hocevar hadn’t pitted yet, he stayed on the lead lap, while others who had pitted were trapped a lap down. Some drivers had to take the wave around, costing them track position. William Byron cycled to the lead, but Hocevar quickly got around him on the restart.
Corey Heim also made a mistake under caution. He pulled out of line too soon and was penalized, removing another strong contender from the fight up front.
From that point on, Hocevar controlled the race. He managed the restarts well and kept fast trucks like Byron, Heim, and Ruggiero behind him. But no one could have predicted Riggs would come back for one last shot — even if it ended in heartbreak.
Carson Hocevar’s Statement Win for Spire
Carson Hocevar’s fifth Truck Series win comes at an important time in his career. As a full-time Cup Series driver, he doesn’t run trucks as often anymore. But this win proved that he hasn’t lost his edge.
“This truck was really good on the short runs,” Hocevar said. “I didn’t think he would catch me from that far back. That No. 34 truck was super, super fast. I thought I threw it away, but somehow we still won.”
Hocevar also had some fun with the wild ending.
“I just thought I’d make it entertaining,” he joked. “Were you all entertained?”
For Spire Motorsports, this was a big moment. The team continues to grow in both the Cup and Truck Series, and Hocevar’s win shows their equipment is competitive across the board.
News in Brief: Carson Hocevar Kansas Truck Win
The Heart of Health Care 200 at Kansas had everything — strategy, late-race drama, aggressive racing, and post-race controversy. Carson Hocevar’s victory was well-earned, even if it came in dramatic fashion. Layne Riggs may have lost the win and his finishing position due to a DQ, but his drive through the field proved just how talented he is.
It’s races like this that remind fans why they love the Truck Series: it’s unpredictable, passionate, and full of drivers willing to lay it all on the line. As the 2025 season continues, both Hocevar and Riggs look like drivers to watch — not just for wins, but for thrilling moments like the one we saw under the Kansas lights.
ALSO READ: Carson Hocevar Wins Big in Kansas After Layne Riggs’ Disqualification – Complete Race Results
