Layne Riggs is actively working to shed his “short-track guy” label, as he pushes toward championship contention in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2025. With recent victories and consistent performances, Riggs is establishing himself as a formidable force on various tracks, keeping his focus firmly on the Layne Riggs NASCAR Truck Series campaign.
From Short-Track Standout to All-Around Contender
Throughout his career, Riggs has grappled with being categorized as a specialist on short tracks, stemming from his success at the late-model level. Upon making the move to Front Row Motorsports and entering full-time Truck Series competition in 2024, Riggs faced the dual pressures of a NASCAR Weekly Series championship and a high bar for performance.
The transition proved challenging at first, with disappointment early in his rookie campaign—marked by early exits at Daytona and Texas and only one top-10 in his initial nine races. However, Riggs’ persistence paid off. A midseason turnaround saw him start to emerge as a weekly contender, consistently running near the front during the latter half of the year.
Breakthrough Wins and Consistent Performance
Riggs carried this momentum into the 2025 season. He opened with solid, steady performances, leading to a breakthrough victory at Pocono in July. This win was a defining moment for Riggs as he silenced critics and challenged the notion that his abilities were confined to short tracks.
“In the post-race, I forgot who it was, asked me, ‘So since you won today, Pocono must feel kind of like a short track the way the corners drive.’ I was like, ‘I’m putting my foot down today. I am not labeled a short-track racer anymore. I can do it all’… I think I’m kind of an all-around driver. I’ll always be labeled the short-track guy just because of what my roots were and how long I spent at a late-model level. But I think that I have just as much confidence, or more confidence, showing up to a mile-and-a-half than I would a short track.”
The next major milestone came at Bristol, where Riggs demonstrated resilience after spinning on the opening lap. He charged from the rear of the field, eventually leading the majority of the event—110 out of 250 laps—for his third win of the year.
Riggs’ versatility has shone beyond short ovals. At intermediate tracks, he has earned four top-fives in 2025. His improvement is also evident on road courses; notable results include a tenth-place finish at Watkins Glen and a victory at IRP. Riggs credits a pivotal race in 2024 for his rise in form:
“It was Gateway. I kind of had this breakthrough moment during the race. We made some adjustments… and I just couldn’t believe it… We ran like 15th all day and then we made those adjustments, and I ended up finishing fifth… After that race, we pretty much started running top five every race and then got our wins and been a contender and threat ever since then,” Riggs added.
The Playoff Picture: Headlining a New Rivalry
The No. 34 Front Row Motorsports squad, led by Riggs, has become a model for the combination of speed and consistency. As the 2025 Truck Series playoffs intensify, Riggs is currently second in the standings with 2,116 points. He now shadows Corey Heim, who sits atop with 2,177 points. Both drivers have secured their spot in the next round through playoff victories, setting up a potential showdown that could determine the championship’s outcome.
Corey Heim Sets the Standard, But Riggs Is Closing the Gap
Corey Heim, piloting the Tricon Garage No. 11, has emerged as the 2025 season’s front-runner. With eight wins, an impressive 16 top-10 finishes in 20 events, and over 1,300 laps led—nearly as many as the next seven drivers combined—Heim has set a daunting benchmark for his peers. However, as the series heads to the EJP 175 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Layne Riggs positions himself as a legitimate challenger.
“We’re right there with performance and speed and feel like we have just as much mojo as they do. I feel like they can execute a little better just because they have more experience. Corey’s fourth or fifth year in the trucks now. They’re a little more consistent and put together races, but I feel like we have the raw speed. We’re really strong at Phoenix…. I really like that race track and it all comes down to one race. Anything can happen,” Riggs said.
With Heim utilizing his experience to turn Tricon Garage into a near-flawless operation, Riggs knows that reaching the championship finale at Phoenix could favor his strengths—especially if he carries his current momentum.
Next Challenge: New Hampshire and a Milestone Start
The focus now turns to Loudon for the season’s first elimination event, the EJP 175. Spanning 175 laps and 185.15 miles at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, this race marks Riggs’ first career Truck Series start at the iconic venue. It is also a personal milestone—his 50th career start in the series. With eight drivers vying for six spots in the Round of 8, every lap will count.
As the playoffs reach this critical stage, the Layne Riggs NASCAR Truck Series journey is increasingly defined by his ability to perform under pressure, and his determination to prove he’s more than just a short-track specialist. Riggs is not only rewriting his own narrative but shaping the future competition in the series as the season speeds toward its high-stakes finale.
