Carson Hocevar clinched a dramatic victory Saturday at Kansas Speedway after a wild and nerve-wracking finish, outlasting a fierce late charge from Layne Riggs in the NASCAR Truck Series race. As the laps wound down, Riggs closed a significant gap, setting up a high-stakes showdown in the final turns. The climax came in Turn 1, where Riggs got alongside Hocevar, pushed both trucks up the track, and made contact, sending Hocevar’s truck spinning sideways before rebounding off the outside wall. Riggs also hit the wall, but Hocevar recovered fastest, crossing the finish line first in one of the season’s most thrilling battles.
This win marks Carson Hocevar’s fifth career Truck Series victory and his first with Spire Motorsports, adding a meaningful chapter to his resume as a full-time NASCAR Cup Series driver. The intense battle did not end at the checkered flag, as Hocevar punctuated his triumph with a bold gesture toward Riggs, flipping off his rival during the victory celebration, underscoring the emotional stakes at play in the dramatic finish.
Reflecting on the race, Carson Hocevar maintained his trademark candidness in the post-race interview, stating,
“I just thought I’d make it entertaining. Were you all entertained? But no, that No. 34 truck [Riggs] was super, super good. This truck was really good on the short runs. I didn’t think he would get to us for how far back he was, but he was super good. It’s been a while since I’ve been in a finish like that where it’s just all out there. So, credit to him. I know he was going for everything there. I was shocked. I thought I threw it away.”
Hocevar’s comment captured the high energy that intensified as the racing unfolded, and offered praise for his rival’s relentless pursuit.
For Riggs, Saturday’s race was another instance of coming tantalizingly close to victory without sealing the win. Despite winning two races last year, Riggs remains winless in 2025, notching his second runner-up finish of the season after an inspiring late-race rally. Riggs, who was more than 1.5 seconds behind Hocevar with only a few laps left, mounted an impressive comeback by riding the outside wall and aggressively slicing through the field.
“Man, I gave it my all,”
Riggs said.
“We were really down bad with the track position there. About midway through the third stage, we were about to take the lead and we did a green-flag pit stop. That really hurt us. Had to come from 16th all the way on that green flag run to get all the way back to him. Last lap, I got to him, got into him a little bit and we both hit the wall.”
Adding to the post-race drama, Riggs remarked that Carson Hocevar
“‘flipped me off all the way down the frontstretch coming to the checkered. But how can you be mad when you win the race, right? But it’s all good. It’s great racing with Cup cars and I think that just proves that I’m going to be there one day.”
The intensity and emotion of the moment were unmistakable as both drivers fought for victory, demonstrating just how much was at stake for everyone involved.
Later developments added another twist, as Riggs’s No. 34 truck was found to be in violation during post-race inspection due to an issue with the bed cover. As a result, the official finishing order was reshuffled: William Byron moved up to finish second, Corey Heim third, Gio Ruggiero fourth, Stewart Friesen fifth, followed by Brandon Jones, Jake Garcia, Kaden Honeycutt, Grant Enfinger, and Daniel Hemric rounding out the top ten.
The Kansas Truck race was defined by strategy and surprise, particularly during the final 40 laps when a series of green-flag pit stops began cycling the leaders. The battle up front became a tactical chess match, as Enfinger and Riggs attempted to undercut Carson Hocevar by pitting one lap earlier, creating an evolving three-way contest. Just as the intensity peaked, a spin by Frankie Muniz through the infield grass brought out a crucial caution, momentarily trapping Hocevar’s main challengers a lap down while Byron assumed the lead.
Carson Hocevar managed to stay on the lead lap, taking full advantage when the race cycled back to green. As the race resumed, Hocevar fended off Byron’s advances, while Heim’s penalty for moving out of line too early dashed his hopes. Another caution, brought out with 25 laps to go after two trucks spun down the backstretch, set up the final sprint to the finish. Despite repeated challenges, Carson Hocevar stood firm, while Riggs powered through the pack, passing competitors inside the top five with apparent ease, setting the stage for their unforgettable battle in the final laps.
The outcome at Kansas Speedway delivers a significant boost to Carson Hocevar, cementing his reputation as a tenacious, clutch performer in high-pressure moments. For Riggs, the disappointment is softened by the impressive drive and the knowledge that he can compete alongside Cup Series drivers, affirming his potential for future success. As the NASCAR Truck Series season progresses, this race at Kansas will be remembered for its passion, unpredictability, and the unforgettable duel that left fans and drivers alike eager for what is to come.
