What started as a nightmare ended in pure celebration for Layne Riggs on Thursday night. In the UNOH 250 Presented by Ohio Logistics at Bristol Motor Speedway. In the second race of the NASCAR Truck Series Playoffs, Layne Riggs spun out on the very first lap. Seemingly setting the tone for a long, frustrating night.
But instead of folding. He dug in, clawing his way back through the pack to capture a stunning victory and flip the script on what could’ve been a playoff disaster.
“You don’t get two mulligans in the playoffs, and I got two,” Riggs admitted, still catching his breath from the emotional turnaround. He’d already limped to a 17th-place finish after slamming the wall in the playoff opener at Darlington Raceway on August 30.”
“The first lap of the race to spin out, it’s a blow to your confidence, for sure. But I’ve got faith in this team, and I’ve got faith in everybody here…”
Layne Riggs’ Bold Tire Gamble Pays Off in Thrilling Bristol Finish
After the early spin, Riggs and the No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford team made a gutsy call, burning through their fresh sticker tires immediately and forcing Riggs to run the final 109 laps on scuffed qualifying rubber. Somehow, it worked.
“I think this shows that we’re right there, we’re in contention, we can do it,” Riggs said, soaking in the moment. “That’s three in a row at Bristol for Front Row Motorsports. It’s a big testament to all these guys. We’ve got a really good package here. Man, I’m excited for New Hampshire Motor Speedway. I’ve never even been there and I already love that race track.”
For a driver who began the night facing the possibility of slipping out of NASCAR Truck Series playoff contention, Bristol became the stage for his redemption arc.
Corey Heim’s Streak Snapped as Riggs Rises
Riggs’ victory also came at the expense of the series’ current powerhouse. Corey Heim rolled into Bristol riding a three-race winning streak and eyeing a shot at tying Greg Biffle’s long-standing record of nine wins in a single NASCAR Truck Series season.
Instead, Heim watched that streak go up in smoke as Riggs surged past late and sealed the deal per Reid Spencer of NASCAR.com.
Heim, driving the No. 11 Tricon Garage Toyota, dominated much of the night, leading a race-high 122 laps compared to Riggs’ 110. But the turning point came on the final restart, where Heim admitted his lane choice may have cost him dearly, according to Auto Racing.
“It was a debatable choice on that last restart, lining up behind the truck that stayed out, I think it was the 62 (Mason Butcher),” Heim said afterwards. “He spun the tires really bad and we fell back to seventh or eighth, and it was just a super track-position-dependent race.”
Even with the setback, Heim was gracious in defeat. “I thought our truck was good. I think the best team won for sure. Those guys were lights out,” he added.
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