Front Row Motorsports Phoenix Raceway efforts resulted in notable top-10 finishes as the team competed fiercely during the closing race of the season, with drivers Layne Riggs and Chandler Smith both showcasing resilience and determination on the challenging track. The high-stakes contest at Phoenix Raceway brought out the competitive spirit of the drivers, who overcame setbacks and intense moments in pursuit of the best possible end to their campaign.
Layne Riggs Overcomes Late-Race Setbacks to Secure Fourth Place
Layne Riggs had an eventful day, navigating the ups and downs of the race to finish just short of a podium. He steadily improved his position throughout the event, placing seventeenth at the end of stage one, seventh after stage two, and ultimately crossing the line in fourth. Riggs’s hard-charging performance was shaped by changing race circumstances, especially in the closing laps.
“I really hated to see that caution, that’s for sure. Leading the race at the end there and looking in the mirror and seeing all of the Championship 4 guys behind us and I was like, ‘Man, if we were in the driver’s, we could win this thing,’ and then the caution comes out. I was like, ‘Oh, great.’ I had no clue we were gonna pit. They were like, ‘pit, pit, pit,’ and it caught me off guard. I didn’t think anybody was gonna pit. We came down and really just fumbled that last pit stop. We only took two tires and we still lost six positions, so that didn’t put us on an even enough playing field to even try to contend for it there at the end, but congrats to Corey winning this championship. He’s obviously the most deserving driver of the year. It’s good for the sport for him to win considering all of his success this season, but that was tough. I definitley learned a lot today. I knew how we needed to trend to be better at the end of these races, especially at this racetrack, but we were so close to a win.”
– Layne Riggs, Driver
After working his way up through the field from a disadvantaged starting position, Riggs continued to demonstrate skill and focus, aided by Front Row Motorsports and Ford Racing. Strategic calls during pit stops and managing tire wear under pressure were critical points in his race experience.
“It was a great F-150. It was fun. I enjoyed driving from the rear of the field through everybody. I pretty much passed everybody on the racetrack. I really had a great truck today. Thank you to Front Row Motorsports and Ford Racing for their fight. I know we had a pretty rough day today and having to start in the rear, but doing the opposite of the leaders got us the lead and we were just trying to manage my tires out front. I really didn’t want to see that last caution, but it’s really tough. Congratulations to Corey. He’s a deserving driver. It’s good for the sport and the series for him to win this championship, but I’m just hopeful that we do change the format next year considering how close it was to our fingertips if we would have been in the driver’s (championship), and how quickly it can get stripped away in just a few minutes after a whole season of work.”
– Layne Riggs, Driver
Chandler Smith Delivers Eighth Place After Challenging Start
Chandler Smith showcased perseverance after encountering early trouble in the race. Despite a setback that forced him to pit and lose a lap due to a wheel issue, Smith and his team maintained focus, methodically climbing through the order and ultimately finishing the race in eighth position. His progression was notable, moving from twenty-fourth at the end of stage one to twenty-third after stage two, and closing the event inside the top ten.
“Pretty good recovery from starting the race with a messed-up wheel that we had to pit and lose a lap for early,”
said Smith.
“Would have been a top-five finish without those late cautions, but we’ll take an eighth-place finish to end the season. Really proud of this group and their efforts all season.”
– Chandler Smith, Driver
Looking Forward: Impact and What’s Next for Front Row Motorsports
The Phoenix event capped a season marked by close competition, dramatic reversals, and valuable learning opportunities for Front Row Motorsports. Key figures like Layne Riggs and Chandler Smith demonstrated adaptability on race day, while the strategic decisions and teamwork on pit road kept both drivers in contention for strong results. Phoenix Raceway remained a formidable location on the calendar, demanding precision and composure from all competitors.
With this race in the books, Front Row Motorsports can reflect on their performances and growth throughout the season as they look ahead to future campaigns. The emotional intensity and high stakes experienced at Phoenix serve as both motivation and guidance for the team and its drivers in upcoming seasons.
