Chandler Smith enters the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series event at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in a must-win scenario to keep his playoff hopes alive. Following a challenging outing at Bristol, Smith and the No. 38 team must secure a win at the one-mile oval in Loudon to advance to the next playoff round, highlighting the intensity around the Chandler Smith New Hampshire Playoffs story this weekend.
Smith’s Track Record and Team Confidence
The Bristol race did not yield the result that Smith and his team were looking for, putting extra pressure on their New Hampshire performance. Despite the recent setback, Smith brings valuable experience at this track, having competed here twice previously in the Xfinity Series, finishing as high as second in 2023 and 15th in 2024. Smith and the team are motivated by both necessity and determination as they approach this crucial race. The No. 38 Ford F-150 will again feature Long John Silver’s, displaying its recognizable blue and yellow “Fish Yeah” paint scheme, marking Long John Silver’s continued support during this pivotal moment.
Smith addressed the high stakes surrounding this weekend’s event, stating,
“The Round of 10 didn’t start out the way we wanted it to, but the team and I are confident heading into New Hampshire. We know what’s at stake, so I know we’ll show up to one of my favorite tracks with a chip on our shoulder and a fast Ford F-150.”
— Chandler Smith, Driver
Layne Riggs Achieves Milestone, Adds Competitive Layer
While the spotlight falls on Smith’s playoff challenge, fellow driver Layne Riggs is set to make his 50th series start at New Hampshire, following a dominant Bristol victory. The No. 34 team, led by Riggs, brings strong momentum to Loudon, marking Riggs’ first national series start at this particular oval. Riggs has accumulated two poles, five wins, 17 top-five finishes, 24 top-10 finishes, and over 600 laps led since his 2022 debut, along with earning the Sunoco Rookie of the Year award in 2024. Riggs credited much of his journey to continuous support from individuals like Bob Jenkins and Jerry Freeze.
Looking ahead to his milestone start, Riggs reflected on his progress and the opportunity at New Hampshire.
“Since this is my first time at New Hampshire, it’s important that the team and I maximize our practice time on Friday. The one advantage I feel like I have, though, is that New Hampshire is very similar to the Milwaukee Mile where I got my first win.”
— Layne Riggs, Driver
“It’s surreal to think I’ll be making my 50th Truck Series start this weekend. It feels like just yesterday I was running part-time, trying to get my name out there and making calls in search of a full-time ride. I’m incredibly grateful to Bob Jenkins, Jerry Freeze, and all of our partners for believing in me and giving me the chance to live out my dream.”
— Layne Riggs, Driver
The continued momentum for Riggs is further boosted by Bare Knuckle Boxing (BKB), the oldest professional bare knuckle boxing company, serving as the primary sponsor for the No. 34 Ford F-150. Founded in South Florida with Dada 5000 and Mike Vazquez—who previously established NASCAR’s first Hispanic racing team, HRT Motorsports—BKB has grown its global footprint with major broadcast partnerships, adding extra exposure for Riggs and his team during the event’s 175 laps.
Looking ahead to competing in New Hampshire, Riggs added,
“The team and I have a lot of momentum after the Bristol win. It’s a nice knowing that regardless of what happens this weekend, we’re still locked into the Round of 8 but we’re going into this weekend with the same amount of effort. I want to win every race equally, but I have to think big picture – trying to be smart, don’t take any big risks and just keep a level head. I feel like we have a good chance to win this championship if we make it to Phoenix and we’ll do that by being smart, keeping that points buffer up and just being a calculated driver and team, and make sure our team dots all the i’s and crosses all the t’s.”
— Layne Riggs, Driver
High Stakes and What Comes Next at New Hampshire
The atmosphere heading into Loudon is marked by high intensity and competitive energy, particularly with Chandler Smith’s season on the line and Layne Riggs celebrating a notable career milestone. The New Hampshire Motor Speedway, often compared to the Milwaukee Mile in terms of driving conditions, will be a proving ground for both seasoned and first-time competitors. For Smith, victory is not just desirable—it is essential to keep his championship campaign alive, while Riggs focuses on consistency and capitalizing on his momentum from Bristol.
Both drivers, alongside their respective teams and partners such as Long John Silver’s and Bare Knuckle Boxing, are set to bring their best efforts to a pivotal event in the Truck Series Playoffs. With playoff advancement, career achievements, and future opportunities at stake, all attention will be on how these key competitors handle the pressure and the unique challenges of the New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
