In a landmark event for the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, Layne Riggs captured the win during the inaugural OnlyBulls Green Flag 150 held Saturday on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida. This race marked the debut of NASCAR competition at this venue and the introduction of a street course race to the Truck Series schedule.
Riggs, driving the No. 34 Ford, held off strong challenges from ThorSport Racing’s Ty Majeski and Ben Rhodes to take the checkered flag first. Leading a race-high 40 laps, Riggs also posted the fastest lap time of the event (78.15 seconds), securing his first victory of the 2026 season and the sixth in his career, while marking his initial road course triumph.
Final Lap Drama and Riggs’ Road Course Breakthrough
As the race entered its final lap, Riggs crossed the white flag threshold with Majeski and Rhodes battling close behind for second place. Majeski briefly overtook Rhodes and set his sights on Riggs in an intense finish. Despite apparent struggles suggesting his vehicle might be running low on fuel, Riggs skillfully maneuvered his Long John Silver’s Ford to fend off Majeski’s efforts in the closing corners, ultimately claiming the historic win.
Ty Majeski completed the race in second place, followed by Ben Rhodes in third, with Chandler Smith and Kaden Honeycutt rounding out the top five positions.
Reflecting on his win during a FOX post-race interview, Riggs credited road-course specialist Joey Hand for his preparation leading up to the race, noting the extensive simulator work they completed together at Ford Racing since December.
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 said.
Known primarily as a short-track competitor from North Carolina, Riggs entered the season determined to demonstrate his versatility beyond oval tracks. His victory at St. Petersburg validated that ambition by delivering his first road course win at one of the sport’s most unique new venues.
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 added.
IndyCar Veterans Make Notable Appearances in NASCAR Race
Saturday’s race also featured former IndyCar stars stepping into the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series field. James Hinchcliffe, a six-time IndyCar winner, impressed by finishing tenth in the No. 77 Spire Motorsports truck. Meanwhile, Dario Franchitti, a four-time IndyCar Series champion and three-time Indianapolis 500 winner, competed in the No. 1 Tricon Garage truck, finishing 27th.
Hinchcliffe expressed satisfaction despite missing a potential higher placement, crediting the race for valuable lessons in tire management and traffic navigation.
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,
Hinchcliffe said.
Implications for Standings and Season Outlook
Following three races in the 2026 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series season, Chandler Smith maintains the points lead, holding a 34-point advantage over Ben Rhodes. Layne Riggs’ victory resulted in a significant jump in the standings, moving him up 17 positions into fifth place. This breakthrough performance on the challenging St. Petersburg street course not only highlights Riggs’ growth as a versatile driver but also adds fresh momentum to his championship pursuit in this competitive series.
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
