Layne Riggs secured the pole position at the NASCAR Truck Series Martinsville event, topping both practice and qualifying at Martinsville Speedway on Friday. His performance in the No. 34 Ford sets the stage for an intense race night as drivers look to secure the final Championship 4 berth at the legendary 0.526-mile short track.
Riggs Shines in Qualifying at Martinsville Speedway
Continuing his dominant streak over the weekend, Layne Riggs laughed about his ongoing success and told Fox Sports,
“We won everything so far. We’re doing something right.”
Not only did he post the fastest practice time, but his qualifying lap reached 97.217 mph, marking the second-fastest qualifying effort ever recorded at Martinsville Speedway. Although pleased with the speed, Riggs admitted he remained slightly unsatisfied with his two laps, noting the truck’s high potential:
“This truck has a lot of potential.”
The pole marks Riggs’ third of the 2025 season, highlighting his consistency and skill in qualifying. He narrowly beat last week’s victor, Giovanni Ruggiero, by just 0.031 seconds, leaving the rest of the field fighting to catch up. Riggs’ No. 34 Ford now leads a strong lineup as the drivers prepare for the 200-lap Slim Jim 200.
Landen Lewis to Make Truck Series Debut with Niece Motorsports
Rising talent Landen Lewis, a 19-year-old from Ocean Isle Beach, N.C., announced a part-time deal to join Niece Motorsports for the 2026 Truck Series season. Lewis arrives as the reigning zMAX CARS Tour Late Model Stock Series champion, having earned four wins and significant recognition as an emerging racer. He credits much of his development to mentorship from NASCAR legend Kevin Harvick and looks forward to new challenges in the truck series.
Expressing his excitement, Lewis stated,
“I want to learn about these trucks and build chemistry with the crew. I can’t wait to get there and start working alongside everyone.”
Niece Motorsports CEO Cody Efaw weighed in on the team’s recruiting philosophy:
“We have always tried to find that next young talent who we think is a future star in our sport, Landen Lewis is just that.”
Niece Motorsports has a track record of launching successful drivers, including Ross Chastain and Carson Hocevar, further underscoring the opportunity for Lewis to develop into a leading figure in the series.
Friday Night Slim Jim 200 Starting Grid Announced
The anticipation for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Slim Jim 200 has reached a peak with the official starting order locked in. Making up the front row are Layne Riggs in the No. 34 Ford and Giovanni Ruggiero in the No. 17 Toyota, both aiming for a pivotal victory. Ty Majeski starts third in the No. 98 Ford, while Corey Heim and Kaden Honeycutt round out the top five in their respective Toyotas.
The complete starting lineup is as follows:
1. Layne Riggs, No. 34 Ford
2. Giovanni Ruggiero, No. 17 Toyota
3. Ty Majeski, No. 98 Ford
4. Corey Heim, No. 11 Toyota
5. Kaden Honeycutt, No. 52 Toyota
6. Tyler Ankrum, No. 18 Chevrolet
7. Rajah Caruth, No. 71 Chevrolet
8. Grant Enfinger, No. 9 Chevrolet
9. Daniel Hemric, No. 19 Chevrolet
10. Andres Perez De Lara, No. 44 Chevrolet
11. Ben Rhodes, No. 99 Ford
12. Tanner Gray, No. 16 Toyota
13. Brenden Queen, No. 7 Chevrolet
14. Dawson Sutton, No. 26 Chevrolet
15. Matt Crafton, No. 88 Ford
16. Corey LaJoie, No. 77 Chevrolet
17. Connor Mosack, No. 77 Chevrolet
18. Chandler Smith, No. 38 Ford
19. Jack Wood, No. 91 Chevrolet
20. Bayley Currey, No. 45 Chevrolet
21. Brent Crews, No. 1 Toyota
22. Jake Garcia, No. 13 Ford
23. Matt Mills, No. 42 Chevrolet
24. Toni Breidinger, No. 5 Toyota
25. Conner Jones, No. 41 Chevrolet
26. Timmy Hill, No. 56 Toyota
27. Casey Mears, No. 69 Ford
28. Spencer Boyd, No. 76 Chevrolet
29. Patrick Staropoli, No. 84 Toyota
30. Logan Bearden, No. 84 Toyota
31. Justin S. Carroll, No. 90 Toyota
32. Frankie Muniz, No. 33 Ford
33. Alan Waller, No. 22 Ford
34. Norm Benning, No. 6 Chevrolet
35. Clayton Green, No. 2 Ford
What’s on the Line at Martinsville
With only one opportunity left to claim a spot in the Championship 4, competition among the field at Martinsville Speedway is expected to be fierce. Layne Riggs, with his impressive pole effort, stands poised to take advantage of his starting position, while drivers like Rajah Caruth, Corey Heim, and Ty Majeski will be among those challenging for victory and a chance to race for the season title. For rising stars such as Landen Lewis, the Martinsville weekend and upcoming season will serve as a vital proving ground in the world of NASCAR Truck Series racing, building on a tradition of discovering new talent and delivering memorable finishes.
Fastest in practice ✅
Fastest in qualifying ✅@LayneRiggs is having himself a day so far at @MartinsvilleSwy! pic.twitter.com/KzTxpHDSud— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) October 24, 2025
NEWS: We’re Locked in with Lewis 🔒😃
Fresh off a @CARSTour Championship, @landenlewis99 will join Niece Motorsports for a partial @NASCAR_Trucks schedule in 2026!#PressTheAttack | #TeamChevy pic.twitter.com/CwEb8jN9Ch
— Niece Motorsports (@NieceMotorsport) October 23, 2025
One last chance to make the Championship 4. pic.twitter.com/hJwK8Xw1xZ
— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) October 24, 2025
