A dramatic tiebreaker in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series saw Kaden Honeycutt move on to the Championship Four at Phoenix, leaving Layne Riggs out despite both drivers having identical points. The Layne Riggs NASCAR Championship tiebreaker puzzled stock car racing fans, raising questions about how Honeycutt edged ahead for the playoff spot.
During Friday’s high-stakes 203-lap event at the 0.526-mile track, Honeycutt qualified fifth, clocking in a lap at 19.63 seconds and hitting a peak speed of 96.49 mph. He ended the opening stages in seventh and eighth place, but the closing laps brought major shake-ups in the running order.
Overtime Decides Championship Berth
Honeycutt intensified his pursuit of a top result, particularly in the race‘s overtime period, passing Brent Crews for a pivotal second-place finish at the final restart. As Honeycutt surged past, Riggs followed closely, also moving up by a spot. At the checkered flag, Corey Heim took the win at Martinsville, while the No. 52 Toyota and No. 34 Ford crossed second and third, respectively.
The confusion centered around the official result released by NASCAR and highlighted by analyst Matt Weaver, which confirmed that Honeycutt was given the promotion to the Championship Four because he finished just ahead of Riggs at the line. This followed weeks of tension as both drivers amassed equal points in the playoffs, making every lap and finish position critical.
“Corey Heim wins Martinsville Trucks 11th win Ty Majeski, Tyler Ankrum and Kaden Honeycutt advance to the final four Honeycutt had the tirebreaker over Riggs, who had a fastest lap point”
– Matt Weaver, NASCAR Analyst
Along with Honeycutt, Ty Majeski, Tyler Ankrum, and Corey Heim secured their places in the climactic NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship Race, scheduled for Friday, October 31. That 150-lap event will set the stage for crowning a new champion on one of the sport’s biggest nights.
Kaden Honeycutt Looks Ahead to Full-Time Drive and a New Challenge
Ahead of the 2025 season, Kaden Honeycutt spoke candidly in an October 2024 interview about the significance of going full time in the Truck Series and his anticipation for what lies ahead with Chevrolet.
“I can’t even begin to explain how much this opportunity means to me.”
– Kaden Honeycutt, NASCAR Driver
“We’ve had some good runs this year, and I know what our team is capable of. Heading into 2025, I really think we’ll have a great shot at competing at a high level on a weekly basis. I can’t say thank you enough to Al, Cody, and everyone at Chevrolet for this. It’s going to be a great year together,” Honeycutt added.
– Kaden Honeycutt, NASCAR Driver
Honeycutt debuted in the series in 2022, piloting the No. 46, No. 47, and No. 30 Toyotas with G2G Racing and On Point Motorsports before finding a part-time ride with Niece Motorsports in 2023. However, midway through the 2025 season, he informed the team of his intention to join a different manufacturer in 2026, prompting his release. He later drove for Young’s Motorsport and then moved to Halmar Friesen Racing, where he competed in the No. 52 Toyota.
The Tiebreaker’s Significance and What Comes Next
The Layne Riggs NASCAR Championship tiebreaker episode highlighted the razor-thin margins that can determine drivers’ fates in the playoffs, drawing passionate reactions from fans and raising the competitive intensity as the championship showdown approaches. With the outcome hinging on finishing position and smallest performance differences, NASCAR’s system for resolving ties is again front and center as the drivers prepare for the sport’s biggest stage in Phoenix.
For Kaden Honeycutt, the advancement signals his growing status and opens the door to a pivotal season ahead, with key figures like Corey Heim, Ty Majeski, and Tyler Ankrum joining him in the Championship Four. Layne Riggs, though edged out by the narrowest of margins, is sure to remain a threat in coming seasons, as the competition and drama of the Craftsman Truck Series continue to captivate racing enthusiasts and stock car racing fans alike.
