Layne Riggs wasn’t expected to steal the show at Pocono Raceway—but that’s exactly what he did. In a dramatic, wreck-filled afternoon that tested both driver skill and team strategy, the 23-year-old driver of the No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford captured his first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series win of the 2025 season. Riggs’ victory came not only after weathering fierce competition and surviving multiple cautions but also amid a controversial late-race restart that gave him the edge over Carson Hocevar.
The win locked Riggs into the Truck Series playoffs and sent a clear message: when chaos reigns, Layne Riggs can still find a way to victory layne.
Key Highlights
Layne Riggs captures first win of 2025, clinches NASCAR Truck Series playoff berth at Pocono.
Corey Heim dominates early, breaks record with 12th stage win of the 2025 season.
Multi-truck crash midway wipes out contenders including Enfinger, Ankrum, and Connor Jones.
Late tire failure ruins Heim’s race, handing control to Riggs with under 10 laps left.
Restart controversy gives Riggs edge over Hocevar in dramatic finish under green.
Corey Heim Sets the Pace—Until Disaster Strikes
From the drop of the green flag, it looked like Corey Heim was poised to repeat his Pocono dominance from 2024. Driving his No. 11 truck with precision, Heim jumped out to an early lead and quickly began setting the race’s tone. He claimed Stage 2, his 12th stage win of 2025—setting a Truck Series record in the process.
Heim’s pace and positioning made him the overwhelming favorite as the laps ticked down. But racing at the “Tricky Triangle” often brings unpredictable challenges, and for Heim, it came in the form of a right rear tire failure with under 10 laps to go. He was forced to pit, ending what had been a near-flawless race and opening the door for Riggs and others to capitalize.
Crashes Shake Up the Field
The race was far from clean, with aggressive racing leading to several big incidents. The most dramatic came midway through when Grant Enfinger, Tyler Ankrum, and Connor Jones were all involved in a multi-truck pileup on the backstretch.
Running nearly four-wide, Enfinger got squeezed into Ben Rhodes, which set off a chain reaction. Tyler Ankrum’s truck went up in smoke, and several other trucks suffered heavy damage trying to avoid the spinning carnage. While a few managed to thread the needle—like Frankie Muniz and Gio Ruggiero—others saw their afternoon end abruptly.
The wreck not only removed several competitive trucks from contention but also shook up strategy calls as crew chiefs scrambled to reposition their drivers for the final stage.
Late-Race Contact, Spins, and a Rulebook Moment
As the race approached its conclusion, tension built up in the pack. Jake Garcia was among those who nearly pulled off a miraculous save before getting turned by Brandon Jones and Ty Majeski. His truck slid up the track but somehow avoided being collected by the rest of the field.
Then came the restart controversy. After Heim’s tire issue, Carson Hocevar was initially expected to control the final restart. However, according to NASCAR’s restart rulebook, once the leader exits the track (to pit), control transfers to the second-place truck—in this case, Layne Riggs. While Hocevar’s team argued their case, the ruling stood.
That ruling proved pivotal. Riggs launched perfectly from the inside layne, while Hocevar was pinned to the outside and never recovered the momentum needed to challenge for the win.
A Career Moment for Riggs and a Big Day for Ford
Crossing the finish line under green, Layne Riggs soaked in the roar of the Pocono crowd. After winning Stage 1, running in the top five most of the afternoon, and executing perfectly in the closing laps, the win was well-earned. “This is a day I’ll never forget,” Riggs said over the radio, celebrating with his Front Row Motorsports team.
The win was also a proud moment for Ford, returning to Pocono victory layne after a dry spell at the 2.5-mile track. Riggs’ performance helped cap off an impressive showing from several Ford trucks, including strong efforts from Tanner Gray and Connor Mosack.
With the win, Riggs joins an increasingly competitive playoff field and becomes a potential spoiler as the regular season nears its final stretch.
News In Brief: 2025 Pocono Truck Race Highlights
From record-breaking stage wins to wild wrecks and a dramatic finish shaped by the rulebook, the 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Pocono had all the ingredients of a classic. Corey Heim was dominant but unlucky. Veterans like Enfinger were wiped out by chaos. And through it all, a rising star named Layne Riggs claimed his place in the spotlight.
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