Layne Riggs wins Pocono NASCAR Truck shocker after points take out leaders

With 3.6 seconds over runner-up finisher Tanner Grey, Entrance Row Motorsports’ Layne Riggs piloted the No. 34 Ford to victory at Pocono Raceway. He grew to become the primary Ford driver to win a Truck race at Pocono since Ryan Blaney did it in 2013. Friday’s triumph is Riggs’ third profession win, however his first of the 2025 season.

“That is only a testomony to this workforce,” mentioned Riggs. “This factor was dangerous quick, particularly that final run. I actually hate that the #11 [Heim] fell out. Unsure what the #7 [Hocevar] was doing on the restart there, however I made certain to make the most of it. Not likely certain why we slowed down 30mph within the restart zone however hey, I am a contented man proper now … I am on cloud 9. This isn’t one I had circled. Like I mentioned,  final yr we wrecked in follow, did not qualify, and ran round useless final all day. At this time, we have been the perfect. That is superb.”

Misfortune for Heim and Hocevar

However Riggs was not the dominant driver, solely profitable Stage 1 as a result of Corey Heim and Carson Hocevar (who have been each operating forward of him) selected to short-pit. Heim went on to win the second stage and it appeared like nobody was going to have the ability to deny him victory on Friday.

With 32 laps to go, issues received messy in what was in any other case a comparatively clear race. A serious incident within the Tunnel Flip took out Grant Enfinger and Ben Rhodes as they received collectively, accumulating Tyler Ankrum, Dawson Sutton, Conner Jones, and Clayton Inexperienced in a multi-truck accident.

Heim remained in management over Riggs and Hocevar, however it did not take lengthy for the subsequent incident as Jake Garcia wrecked on the restart. In some way, no different vans have been concerned regardless of Garcia spinning in the course of the pack. On the time of yellow, Riggs was side-by-side with Heim for the highest spot, however Heim remained in management.

This was the pivotal second of the race, as Heim reported a difficulty moments earlier than main the sector to a restart. It rapidly grew to become clear that he had a flat tire, forcing him to drag out of line.

This vaulted Hocevar onto the entrance row for the restart, however it was, actually, Riggs who was the management truck.

Regardless of this, Hocevar lurched forward and took the lead with ease earlier than the sector even made it to Flip 1. NASCAR rapidly reviewed the restart, penalizing Hocevar for going early. He needed to serve a drive-through penalty, clearing the way in which for Riggs.

Grey ended up second, Kaden Honeycutt third, Brandon Jones fourth, and Daniel Hemric fifth. Connor Mosack, Chandler Smith, Stewart Friesen, Ty Majeski, and Rajah Caruth crammed out the rest of the highest ten.

Hocevar fought again to complete thirteenth whereas Heim ended up twenty fourth in a disappointing displaying for each drivers. Heim ended up main 48 of 80 laps earlier than his late-race tire challenge. Additionally of word, actor-turned-racer Frankie Muniz earned his third high 20 of the yr, putting nineteenth.