Front Row Motorsports heads into the crucial Martinsville race with hopes of securing a spot in the NASCAR playoffs, as both Layne Riggs and Chandler Smith prepare for Friday’s cutoff competition at Martinsville Speedway. The Front Row Motorsports Martinsville race will determine which drivers move ahead in the championship hunt, making this event a pivotal moment for the team.
Layne Riggs Faces Must-Win Situation as Cutoff Looms
Layne Riggs and the No. 34 team enter Martinsville Speedway this weekend needing to overcome a six-point deficit to reach the next round of the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoffs. The Friday night event serves as the final opportunity for Round of 8 drivers to secure their advancement. Riggs, who previously collected a top-10 and three top-15 finishes at Martinsville, achieved his career best at the track with a sixth place result in November 2024.
The team receives strong support from Bare Knuckle Boxing (BKB), the oldest professional bare knuckle boxing organization in the world. Founded by legendary figures Dada 5000 and Mike Vazquez—who made history by forming NASCAR’s first Hispanic racing team in 1999—BKB is recognized internationally with broadcasts reaching millions across North America, the UK, and Spanish-speaking audiences through NBC Universal’s Telemundo Deportes Ahora. The global exposure BKB brings highlights the unique partnership and the diverse backgrounds driving success within Front Row Motorsports.
“We’re below the cutline heading into Martinsville, but we’re not feeling any extra pressure,”
said Riggs.
“Our approach hasn’t changed—we’re focused on bringing a fast Ford F-150, executing on all fronts, and controlling what we can control. I know we’ll have the speed to contend for the win, but execution will be the key to whether we advance to Phoenix to compete for the championship. If we can stay clean and minimize mistakes, I believe we’ll put ourselves in a great position to make the Final Four.”
– Layne Riggs, Driver
Chandler Smith Looks to Extend Strong Track Record
Chandler Smith returns to the challenging paperclip-shaped Martinsville oval, aiming for a decisive result over the 200-lap feature. Smith has posted three top-10 finishes in NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series competition at Martinsville, most recently driving for Front Row Motorsports to a fourth place finish earlier in the season. Alongside his Truck Series experience, Smith has raced four times at Martinsville in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, with a single top-10 in 2023 and two top-five performances in 2024, illustrating his adaptability on the short track.
Smith’s No. 38 Ford will display the QuickTie logo during this critical race. QuickTie, known for its patented hold-down systems and comprehensive framing hardware, has already celebrated two wins this season with Smith at the wheel, following victories at Bristol-1 and North Wilkesboro. This partnership reflects the team’s drive for engineering excellence and reliable performance as they pursue success on the grand stage.
“Martinsville has been good to me in the past,”
said Smith.
“The last couple of races haven’t gone our way, but the team and I have reset and are focused on maximizing our results in these final two races.”
– Chandler Smith, Driver
High Stakes for Front Row Motorsports at Martinsville
As the Front Row Motorsports Martinsville race approaches, both Layne Riggs and Chandler Smith are determined to capitalize on their experience, team backing, and sponsor partnerships. The event’s outcome will determine the team’s championship ambitions, with a win or strong finish essential for playoff advancement. The performance of Riggs, partnered with BKB, and Smith, with support from QuickTie, may influence not only their own careers, but also underscore the impact of diverse collaborators such as Dada 5000, Mike Vazquez, and supporters from around the globe.
With only two races left in the season, all eyes are on Front Row Motorsports to see if they can translate their hopeful energy and solid preparation into a groundbreaking playoff run, making Martinsville an event with lasting significance for the organization and its partners.
