Layne Riggs Triumphs at Pocono Truck Race with Bold Strategy and Late-Race Pass for First Win

Pocono Drama: Riggs Charges to Truck Victory

NASCAR's Friday at “The Tricky Triangle” delivered everything stock car fans want—high speeds, bold passes, and playoff intensity. The MillerTech Battery 200 at Pocono Raceway saw Layne Riggs claim his first Truck Series win of the season, conquering a stacked field and a late-race shootout to the checkered flag[3][5].

Top Results and Race Highlights

Layne Riggs edged out Tanner Gray and Kaden Honeycutt in a tense closing stint, with Brandon Jones and Daniel Hemric rounding out the top five[3]. Notable moments included a dramatic multi-truck incident exiting Turn 2 in the final stage, bringing out a late caution and bunching up the field for a two-lap dash. Riggs, who started mid-pack, used a bold two-tire call during the last pit cycle to leapfrog into contention and expertly managed restarts against aggressive challengers.

Driver of the Day

Riggs’ composure under pressure and sharp tire management earned him Driver of the Day honors. His post-race comments captured the moment:

> “We gambled with that pit call, and my crew nailed it. The truck felt hooked up, especially after the final caution. This team keeps fighting.”

Strategy and Technical Insights

The winning strategy pivoted on track position—Riggs’ team opted for two right-side tires on the final stop, gaining positions while others took four. Despite some tire wear risk, the clean air at Pocono made all the difference, with Riggs able to hold off faster trucks on fresher rubber. Teams that took four tires, including Chandler Smith and Corey Heim, struggled to break through the traffic.

Championship Standings Update

Corey Heim retains the points lead with four wins this season, despite finishing outside the top ten. Chandler Smith remains second with two victories, and Layne Riggs jumps to third after his breakthrough. The playoff cutline tightens:
- Heim: 4 wins, points leader
- Smith: 2 wins
- Riggs: 1 win
- Tyler Ankrum, Daniel Hemric, Stewart Friesen, Rajah Caruth: all with 1 win[3]
- Jake Garcia (-10), Gio Ruggiero (-58), and Ben Rhodes (-60) sit just below the cut, the battle intensifying as the regular season wanes.

Behind the Scenes

Multiple teams debuted new aero packages at Pocono, notably Grant Enfinger's No. 23, which showed improved straight-line speed but suffered in traffic. Rumors circulated in the paddock of a possible crew chief switch for the No. 99 truck—something to monitor before the next race.

Stat Watch

- Riggs led 25 laps, the most of any driver.
- There were 7 lead changes among 5 drivers and 8 cautions for 29 laps.
- Average race speed: 127.4 mph, with fastest lap set by Chandler Smith during Stage 2.

Looking Ahead

Next up: the tough bullring at Gateway Motorsports Park. With weather forecasted dry but cool, expect tire strategy and short-run setups to decide the winner. Can Riggs carry this momentum into another tricky venue, or will Heim and Smith respond as the playoff picture sharpens?

Stay tuned—this Truck Series season is far from settled, and every lap at Gateway could flip the script.