Layne Riggs made headlines in the Layne Riggs NASCAR Truck Series after posting the fastest time during qualifying at the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship event on Friday at Phoenix Raceway, yet an earlier penalty will require him to start from the back of the grid and complete a drive-through after the race begins. Front Row Motorsports teammate Chandler Smith will take over the pole position for the highly anticipated 150-lap season finale scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET, with national television and radio coverage.
Riggs Penalized Despite Best Qualifying Lap
Although Riggs delivered an impressive performance in qualifying, circumstances changed due to a penalty issued on Friday morning. Under the penalty, Riggs not only moves to the rear of the field for the start but must also serve a drive-through penalty. As a result, his Front Row Motorsports teammate Chandler Smith is promoted to pole position, offering Smith a prime opportunity as the green flag drops for the season’s final race. They are joined on the front row by Brent Crews, while Tanner Gray, Kaden Honeycutt, and Corey Heim fill out the rest of the top five starters.
Key Starters and Championship 4 Standings
Rajah Caruth, who has been consistent throughout the season, will start within the top ten alongside last season’s Truck Series titleholder Ty Majeski, as well as Gio Ruggiero, two-time champion Ben Rhodes, and Stefan Parsons. The remaining drivers in the top ten set the stage for a competitive race.
Other Noteworthy Qualifying Performances
Elsewhere in the qualifying session, Corey LaJoie secured the 12th starting spot, Daniel Hemric takes up the 19th position, and Tyler Ankrum finds himself further back in 21st. Notably, Grant Enfinger starts from 23rd, while experienced three-time champion Matt Crafton will begin the race from 25th.
Mason Maggio recorded the slowest time among those who completed a lap, finishing 32nd. Caleb Costner and Matt Mills, however, did not take part in qualifying.
Championship Implications and Fastest Contender
Kaden Honeycutt, who secured the quickest time among the Championship 4 drivers, heads into the race with a slight advantage over his immediate rivals in initial track position. Tyler Ankrum faces a significant challenge, starting from the back half of the field, making his championship pursuit more difficult as the competition unfolds in Phoenix.
Race Details and Broadcast Information
The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship concludes with a 150-lap contest at Phoenix Raceway. The green flag is set to wave just after 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time, with live coverage available via Fox Sports 1, NRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Significance for Teams and Drivers
The late penalty against Layne Riggs alters the dynamics for Front Row Motorsports and the broader field, reshuffling the hoped-for starting advantage and impacting potential championship outcomes for drivers like Kaden Honeycutt, Ty Majeski, and Ben Rhodes. Chandler Smith’s elevation to pole sets the stage for a competitive run, while established names such as Rajah Caruth, Corey Heim, and Matt Crafton all look to make an impact as the 2024 Truck Series season reaches its close at Phoenix Raceway.
