On Saturday, Layne Riggs achieved a significant milestone by winning the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series OnlyBulls Green Flag 150 at the St. Petersburg street circuit in Florida. This marked his first win of the 2026 season and the sixth overall in his Truck Series career, providing a crucial rebound after disappointing results in the early races at Daytona and Atlanta.
Key Moments and Competitors in the Final Laps
Riggs managed to fend off former Truck Series champions Ty Majeski and Ben Rhodes in the closing laps, holding his ground on the challenging short road course. After finishing 31st and 27th in Daytona and Atlanta respectively, Riggs entered the weekend desperate for a turnaround and delivered under pressure on the tight Florida street circuit.
Transitioning from Short-Track Specialist to Road Course Competitor
Primarily known as a short-track specialist from Bahama, North Carolina, Riggs emphasized how meaningful it was to capture a road course victory. He credited the guidance of his road course mentor, Joey Hand, whose assistance in simulator work since December helped him prepare for this race.
“First thing I’m going to say, thank you to Joey Hand. I know he’s watching at home. My road course guy. He’s the man,”
Riggs said after the race.
“He helped me so much. We’ve been working on this race track in the simulator at Ford Racing since December. I really, really wanted to get my first win on a road course.”
Riggs added,
“The short-track guy from Bahama, North Carolina, won at St. Pete. Can you believe it? I’ve really been trying to perfect my craft. I said this year I just want to win a road course to show I’m not just that short-track guy.”
Race Strategy Amid Fuel Concerns in Closing Laps
Beyond speed, Riggs’ victory was a product of careful management in the final stages of the race. Fuel became a critical issue in the closing laps, forcing him to balance conserving gas with maintaining enough pace to stay ahead. The unique fuel pickup on the truck’s left side caused him extra challenge as he navigated the frequent left-hand turns on the street course.
“It sputtered with about eight to go,”
Riggs explained.
“The pickup on these trucks is on the left side, so every time I turned left the fuel would slosh away. The whole time I was just trying to keep it running and manage the gap.”
Sportsmanship and Final Battle Against Majeski and Rhodes
In the final laps, Ty Majeski and Ben Rhodes closed the gap, creating intense pressure on Riggs. Despite having chances to force a more aggressive move, both drivers raced cleanly, allowing Riggs to maintain his lead and claim the win.
“Thank you to Ben Rhodes and Ty Majeski. I know they ran me pretty clean,”
Riggs said.
“That last corner, Ty probably could have cleaned me out if he wanted to. We were so close there, but what an awesome feeling.”
Implications for Riggs and the 2026 Truck Series Season
This victory gives Layne Riggs valuable momentum as the Truck Series heads into the rest of the 2026 season, proving that the No. 38 team remains a serious contender despite early setbacks. The win also signals Riggs’ evolution beyond short tracks, reminding his competitors that he is now a threat on diverse circuits, including road courses like St. Petersburg.
