The Front Row Motorsports race report from Charlotte ROVAL reveals a day marked by frustration and adversity, as the team faced multiple setbacks during the NASCAR Truck Series event. Both Chandler Smith and Layne Riggs struggled to overcome on-track incidents, with their results shaped by mechanical issues and contact from other competitors, leaving the team searching for positives ahead of the upcoming races.
Chandler Smith Forced to Recover After Early Setbacks
Chandler Smith’s day began with challenges, as he started from the back due to adjustments made after qualifying. The opening stage saw Smith positioned in 29th, making forward progress to finish Stage Two in 15th. However, contact late in the race altered his outcome significantly, relegating him to a 19th-place result. Smith expressed his disappointment, noting that the performance throughout the day did not meet team expectations.
“It just wasn’t a good day for us overall,” said Smith. “We didn’t practice or qualify great, then we had to start in the back after making adjustments post qualifying. I thought we had something there at the end, but the 98 took us out, so it’s just a tough pill to swallow. We’ll come back stronger at Talladega.” – Chandler Smith, Driver
Smith’s remarks underscore the emotional toll such setbacks can have, especially after working through the field and believing a strong finish was within reach. Despite this, Smith remains determined to rebound at Talladega, emphasizing the resilience common among competitive drivers in the NASCAR Truck Series.
Layne Riggs Encounters Trouble and Frustration
Layne Riggs started well, finishing 10th in the first stage. Unfortunately, the day shifted significantly after contact with the number 9 truck, which damaged his vehicle and led to handling issues. Riggs ended Stage Two in 23rd and eventually finished 21st, hindered by mechanical troubles after the incident. He openly questioned the actions of other drivers, echoing the turbulent and emotional tone felt throughout Front Row Motorsports’ pit area.
“We just got wrecked by the 9. I don’t really understand what his thought process is. People say you’re supposed to take advice from the veterans and learn from them of how to race and they race the worst out of anybody. That’s twice this year we’ve gotten wrecked by the 9 truck – at Watkins Glen and here, both road courses, two separate incidents, two blatantly wrong on his part. We drug a swaybar arm off after that contact and just had a terrible handling truck the rest of the day. At the end, we were just gonna try to salvage something, but something in the rear end housing broke or a clutch started slipping, but I had no power there at the end. The engine was running, but it would not put the power down to the tires. Everybody at Front Row Motorsports, Clew nicotine pouches, Ford Racing, they deserve a lot better day than today.” – Layne Riggs, Driver
Riggs did not hide his exasperation with repeated contact from the same competitor at both Charlotte ROVAL and Watkins Glen. The physical damage resulted in mechanical failures that further limited his performance, draining any chance of a stronger finish despite early pace.
Missed Opportunities and Outlook for the Playoffs
Reflecting on what might have been, Riggs believed a top-ten finish was possible before late-race misfortune and mechanical issues struck. His frustration intensified with a late caution, disrupting a strategy that seemed likely to deliver a solid points result.
“I think we could have finished in the top 10. I really wish that last caution didn’t come out. I think we were running ninth or 10th and that would have been a pretty good day for us, but it was just really not our day. I think we salvaged the absolute best we could considering the circumstances, but I hated to see that caution come out.” – Layne Riggs, Driver
Heading into Talladega, Riggs acknowledged high stakes around the playoff cut line, describing the next tracks as unpredictable. He credited his Front Row Motorsports crew for their hard work under pressure and pointed to the benefit of collaborating with Chandler Smith at the upcoming event.
“No different than every other weekend. We go out and try to be as fast as we can and execute and win. Today, I feel like we did everything that we were supposed to do and it just got taken from us by a different source. We’ve got to keep it going. I know it was hard on everybody on the team. They did a really good job trying to get me back out there the best they could. We’ve just got to keep our heads high, know that we’re fast. Luckily, we’re gonna have Chandler Smith as a teammate at Talladega, so we’re gonna try to work together the best we can. Obviously, that’s a huge wild card too and Martinsville is also a wild card, so I’m not really understanding this round of the playoffs. I thought today was gonna be the least of the wild card problems and the next thing I know I couldn’t even make a corner. We’re just gonna have to do the best we can. If we get in, we get in. It’s fate and we did everything we could, but, if not, we know that we were fast all year long.” – Layne Riggs, Driver
Riggs emphasized that while unpredictable races lie ahead at Talladega and Martinsville, team morale and determination remain high. Both he and Smith will be working in tandem for Front Row Motorsports, striving to overcome adversity in pursuit of a strong playoff showing.
What’s Next for Front Row Motorsports
The Charlotte ROVAL proved challenging for Front Row Motorsports, as both drivers endured incidents that shaped disappointing finishes. The Ford Racing-backed squad is now preparing for Talladega, where teamwork and resilience will be crucial. As both Layne Riggs and Chandler Smith look ahead, their efforts aim to secure valuable playoff points and to turn around the fortune of recent races, determined to contend until the end of this unpredictable round.
