Front Row Motorsports is gearing up for an important weekend at Watkins Glen International as Layne Riggs and Chandler Smith head into the event with recent wins fueling their playoff ambitions. The Front Row Motorsports Watkins Glen Preview centers on Riggs making his road course debut at this famed New York track and Smith aiming to capitalize on strong previous finishes with the playoffs rapidly approaching.
Layne Riggs Tackles Watkins Glen in Road Course Debut
Layne Riggs, fresh off a dominant victory at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park two weeks ago, returns to action with the No. 34 team. This appearance marks Riggs’ first time racing on the 2.45-mile Watkins Glen road course and is only his third career road course start. Throughout the current season, Riggs has stacked up two wins and notched seven top-five and nine top-10 results, placing him third in the Truck Series Driver Championship standings.
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“The team and I are still riding the high from our win at IRP, but we know there’s more work ahead,”
said Riggs.
“Front Row Motorsports has a strong road course program, and even though I don’t have a lot of experience on these types of tracks, I always feel confident going into them.”
—Layne Riggs, Driver
Chandler Smith Eyes Another Strong Run at The Glen
Chandler Smith will pilot the No. 38 Ford F-150 as he returns to Watkins Glen International, leveraging a solid background on this track. Smith has recorded two top-10 finishes in as many NASCAR Xfinity Series starts here—eighth place in 2023 with Kaulig Racing and fourth in 2024 with Joe Gibbs Racing. With just two races left before the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoffs, Smith can boast two wins, four top-five finishes, and a dozen top-10s, currently holding second in the Truck Series Driver Championship points standings after finishing sixth at Indianapolis.
“I’ve always enjoyed racing at Watkins Glen,”
said Smith.
“I feel confident in myself on road courses, and Front Row Motorsports has a strong track record at these types of tracks with both Todd (Gilliland) and Zane (Smith). I believe this No. 38 team has what it takes to run up front this weekend. Even though we’re already locked into the playoffs, there’s still a lot at stake — I want to leave with a win and valuable playoff points.”
—Chandler Smith, Driver
Watkins Glen Set to Test Championship Hopefuls
Both Riggs and Smith represent Front Row Motorsports’ playoff aspirations, with the iconic Watkins Glen road course serving as their next major challenge. The team’s solid history on road courses with drivers like Todd Gilliland and Zane Smith adds confidence as both current drivers aim to secure more points. With the postseason looming, a strong showing at Watkins Glen could boost momentum for Riggs and Smith, as they vie for even higher positions in the Truck Series standings and look to capitalize on recent successes in the final stretch before the playoffs arrive.
