Layne Riggs claimed a landmark victory in the first-ever NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series event held on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida, on Saturday. The Layne Riggs NASCAR St. Petersburg win marks his initial road course triumph and his sixth career CRAFTSMAN Truck Series victory, solidifying a key moment in both his career and NASCAR’s history.
Riggs Delivers a Memorable First for St. Petersburg
The inaugural OnlyBulls Green Flag 150 introduced the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series to St. Petersburg’s city streets, drawing excitement as stock cars tackled a brand-new road course layout for the first time. Piloting the No. 34 truck, Riggs led a commanding 40 laps and set the Xfinity fastest lap of the race with a time of 78.15 seconds. As the race approached its conclusion, Riggs faced rising pressure from ThorSport Racing’s Ty Majeski and Ben Rhodes, who ran second and third as the laps wound down.
During an intense final lap, Riggs maneuvered his Long John Silver’s Ford across the circuit, even appearing to struggle for fuel, as Majeski seized second from Rhodes and launched one last attempt at the leader. Despite the tense finish and a strong challenge from behind, Riggs maintained composure through the last corners to secure the historic win and cross the finish line first.
Reflecting on Victory: Riggs Credits Preparation and Determination
Just after stepping out of his truck, Riggs took a moment to recognize the support that fueled his road course breakthrough. He pointed to road course specialist Joey Hand’s guidance, especially their extensive simulator work with Ford Racing dating back to December, as a key factor in his preparation for the unique challenge of St. Petersburg. In Riggs’s own words,
“He’s the man. He helped me so much. We’ve been working on this racetrack in the simulator at Ford racing since December, and I really, really wanted to get my first win on a road course,”
— Riggs, NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Driver
Entering the season primarily known for his accomplishments on short tracks in North Carolina, Riggs had set out to redefine his reputation and showcase his adaptability. His determination paid off on Saturday as he delivered on his personal goal of winning on a road course.
“It’s just a dream come true. I literally said this year I just want to win a road course just to show I’m not just that short track guy,”
— Riggs, NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Driver
Final Results and Standout Performances From the Field
Ty Majeski, after his late-race surge, finished second, with his ThorSport teammate Ben Rhodes close behind in third place. Chandler Smith captured fourth, and Kaden Honeycutt rounded out the top five after a strong drive in the series’ debut on the city circuit. Notably, the event brought additional intrigue with participation from retired IndyCar stars, adding to the unique mix on the grid.
IndyCar Champions Add Star Power to NASCAR Debut
Retired racing icons James Hinchcliffe and Dario Franchitti returned to competition as part of the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series roster for this special street course episode. Hinchcliffe, a six-time IndyCar race winner, demonstrated adaptability in his No. 77 Spire Motorsports entry, ultimately concluding the race in 10th place. Reflecting on his experience, he shared his appreciation for the learning process and perseverance throughout the race, stating,
“I learned so much out there about managing tires and traffic and racing these guys out there. … It was a great effort to come from the back twice and end up in the top 10. Just can’t thank Spire enough and hopefully I get do it again one day,”
— James Hinchcliffe, Retired IndyCar Driver
Meanwhile, four-time IndyCar Series champion and triple Indianapolis 500 victor Dario Franchitti piloted the No. 1 Tricon Garage truck to a 27th-place finish. Their participation brought an added layer of excitement for fans and competitors alike, further elevating the profile of the event.
Shifting Standings Set Stage for Season Ahead
After three races, Chandler Smith now holds a 34-point lead over Ben Rhodes at the top of the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series standings. With his breakthrough at St. Petersburg, Layne Riggs climbed 17 positions, landing in fifth place and positioning himself as a renewed contender for the season. As the series continues, both new and familiar faces, including Ty Majeski and Kaden Honeycutt, remain poised to shape the title battle.
Layne Riggs NASCAR St. Petersburg win not only made history for the city and the series, but also showcased the evolving talent within stock car racing and hinted at new rivalries and narratives to watch as the season unfolds.
LAYNE RIGGS WINS ON THE STREETS OF ST. PETERSBURG! pic.twitter.com/lJzMdAsobV
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 28, 2026
Hard work pays off, @LayneRiggs99. 👏 pic.twitter.com/vUDCbY6li2
— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) February 28, 2026
A solid Top-10 finish in his NASCAR debut! Nice work, Jimmy. 😎@Hinchtown | @Ghenneberry47 pic.twitter.com/UBLRPrU5Dq
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 28, 2026
