In a thrilling display of skill and determination, Layne Riggs clinched his second career victory in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, winning the UNOH 200 Presented by Ohio Logistics at Bristol Motor Speedway on Thursday night. The non-Playoff driver once again played the role of spoiler, mirroring his unexpected win at the Milwaukee Mile just weeks earlier.

A Rising Star Shines

Riggs, piloting the No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford, showcased his growing prowess in the series by making a decisive pass on runner-up Corey Heim on Lap 121 of the 200-lap race. The young driver’s ability to maintain the lead for the remaining 79 laps demonstrated both his skill and the strength of his truck.

“Oh, my gosh, we’ve just learned so much with the trucks,” an elated Riggs said post-race. “To be running fifth, 10th and all of a sudden to go back-to-back in the Playoffs—man, I wish I was in the Playoffs so bad. I think we’d be a real threat to win the championship.”

Playoff Implications

While Riggs celebrated in Victory Lane, the race had significant implications for the Playoff contenders. Corey Heim, Christian Eckes, and Nick Sanchez all secured their spots in the Round of 8 with strong performances. Heim, last year’s Bristol winner, finished second and praised his team’s effort despite falling just short of defending his title.

Rajah Caruth made substantial gains in the Playoff standings, moving from 10th to fifth with a third-place finish. His stage win and overall performance put him 35 points above the cut line heading into the final race of the Round of 10 at Kansas Speedway.

Struggles for Some Contenders

Not all Playoff drivers had a night to remember. Reigning series champion Ben Rhodes struggled with an ill-handling truck, finishing 27th and two laps down. This poor result dropped him to 10th in the standings, 12 points behind the current cut-off. Daniel Dye also faced adversity, finishing 37th after a collision with Kaden Honeycutt, leaving him seven points out of the final transfer spot.

Notable Performances

The race featured several noteworthy performances beyond the frontrunners:

Eighteen-year-old Sprint Car star Corey Day finished a respectable 18th in his Truck Series debut.

Connor Zilisch, fresh off his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut win at Watkins Glen, started from the pole but spun on Lap 109 and finished 19th.

Ty Majeski showcased impressive driving skills, finishing 8th after starting from the rear due to unapproved adjustments.

Looking Ahead

As the series heads to Kansas Speedway for the final race in the Round of 10, the battle for the remaining Playoff spots intensifies. With Riggs demonstrating that non-Playoff drivers can still play a crucial role in the outcome of these races, the stage is set for an exciting conclusion to this round of the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoffs.

Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images