Corey Heim, who dominated almost the entire race and led 162 of 255 laps, appeared destined for victory before a late caution erased his 3.3-second advantage. The subsequent overtime restart saw Layne Riggs capitalize on the opportunity, diving aggressively under Heim in Turn 1. The resulting contact in Turn 2 spun Heim’s Toyota and sent him abruptly down the finishing order, turning a potential win into a frustrating 17th-place result.
The aftermath was immediate and intense. Heim met Layne Riggs on pit road, confronting him over the move that cost Heim the race. Accusing Riggs of “scum racing” to FS1 cameras, Heim vented,
The confrontation wasn’t limited to Heim. Scott Zipadelli, Heim’s crew chief, voiced even sharper criticism about Layne Riggs, saying,
On pit road, emotions boiled over. Heim lashed out, telling Riggs,
The words landed with the tension of the moment still lingering, as both teams weighed the fallout from an overtime move that changed the landscape of the race—and potentially, the playoffs.
Layne Riggs showed no sign of regret for his actions at Wilkesboro. Addressing reporters afterwards, he explained,
Added Riggs,
Despite the controversy, Layne Riggs continues to defend his aggressive approach.
he remarked after taking second place, holding onto eighth in the Truck Series standings, though still 156 points behind Heim’s leading total of 450.
Zipadelli, frustrated with more than just Layne Riggs’ aggressive overtime decision, also criticized NASCAR’s handling of late-race cautions.
For Heim, Wilkesboro is another chapter in a season plagued by late-race incidents. Three times this year, he has led the majority of laps only to lose out after chaotic overtime finishes. Smith’s unexpected win at Wilkesboro narrows Heim’s once-comfortable points lead, trimming it down to just 47 points.
The rivalry between Heim and Layne Riggs is far from resolved, with the growing tension casting a shadow over the next event at Charlotte Motor Speedway for the North Carolina Education Lottery 200 on May 23. For Heim, the race is an opportunity to reclaim dominance, while Riggs sees it as another stage to prove that his willingness to take risks, even at the cost of controversy, is what sets him apart. The aftermath of Riggs’ overtime move at Wilkesboro has not only intensified competition but also left lingering questions about sportsmanship, reputation, and how far competitors will go for victory.
As teams prepare for Charlotte, the stakes rise and the feud simmers. “What comes around, goes around,” Zipadelli warned, and all eyes now turn to see how this growing rivalry, fueled by Layne Riggs’ aggressive tactics, will shape the season—and whether redemption or retribution will win the day on the track.
