Trucks: Layne Riggs Dominates in Impressive Showing at Indianapolis Raceway Park

What’s Happening?

On the day when it was announced that the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series would once again team up with IndayCar next year and take to the streets of St. Pete in a thrilling doubleheader for the second year in a row, NASCAR took Indianapolis by store. While the O’Reilly and Cup Series prepare for racing at the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway later on in the weekend, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series returned to its roots–a classic Friday night short track showdown just down the road at Lucas Oil Raceway Park, also known as Indianapolis Raceway Park. And the excitement was in the air with Connor Daily stepping back in the world of NASCAR as he piloted the No. 25 RAM for Kaulig Racing. His fellow IndyCar veterans were in attendance to cheer him on.

But beyond the outside star power to make this weekend all the more special, all eyes were on the NCTS “Big Three” as the chase for the championship starts to heat up. Layne Riggs started the race from the pole alongside his teammate Chandler Smith and, not far behind them, Kaden Honeycutt was looking to return the No. 11 for Tricon Garage back to victory lane. But, as one might suggest considering how hot they’ve been in recent weeks, Honeycutt was no match for the Front Row duo. In fact, nobody had anything for the points leader Layne Riggs, who went on to lead 198 of the 200 laps. The only two laps that were led by another driver were led by Riggs’ teammate Chandler Smith as Front Row laid the smackdown on the rest of the field tonight.

This marked the 5th win of the season for Riggs and the third time he swept the stages this season. It also marks Riggs’ 10th win of his career. This dominating stretch of races make a hard argument for Front Row that their No. 1 guy in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series may just be Cup ready, fueling silly season rumors behind the scenes. This also meant that Layne Riggs went back-to-back to win yet again at IRP.

Absolute dominance at IRP! 🏁 Layne Riggs puts on a clinic to take the victory in the @NASCAR_Trucks race at Indianapolis Raceway Park! pic.twitter.com/pUFGmOVxBF

— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) July 25, 2026

Race Report:

• The race began with the Truck Series “big three” all starting up front. Sweeping the front row were the Front Row Racing teammates, Layne Riggs and Chandler Smith, both of which who seemed to be riding a wave of momentum in recent weeks. That momentum carried in tonight as Layne Riggs went on to lead all 60 laps of the opening stage on his way to the stage victory. It marked his ninth stage victory of the 2026 campaign.
• The following drivers earned stage points in the opening stage: Layne Riggs (10), Christian Eckes (9), Chandler Smith (8), Ty Majeski (6), Grant Enfinger (5), Kaden Honeycutt (3), and Stewart Friesen (2).
• Layne Riggs won the race off pit road and started the second stage from the point. Christian Eckes fell deep in the pack after reporting that he was smelling oil. He was forced to pit multiple times under yellow to assess the issue as his nightmare return to the Truck Series continues.
• The Front Row duo once again led the field to the green to kick off the second stage. Riggs was slow to start after spinning his tires. As a result, his teammate Chandler Smith rocketed out front to the race lead. Smith assumed the lead for a couple of laps before Riggs got back by him as he looked to sweep the stages for the third time this season.
• Riggs went on to sweep the stages at IRP, his third time doing so this season. He won the stage over his teammate Chandler Smith and Connor Mosack. At the time of the stage break, there were only thirteen trucks on the lead lap.
• These drivers earned stage points in the second stage: Layne Riggs (10), Chandler Smith (8), Grant Enfinger (7), Ty Majeski (6), Stewart Friesen (4), Kaden Honeycutt (2), and Tyler Ankrum (1).

Stage 1: Layne Riggs!
Stage 2: ???
Stage 3: ???

Can anyone stop him tonight at IRP?#NASCARonFS1 | https://t.co/kIpAkwpvNQ pic.twitter.com/LEnxClLSmN

— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) July 25, 2026

Caution Tracker:

• Lap 60: End of Stage 1
• Lap 120: End of Stage 2
• Lap 138: Landen Lewis and Daniel Hemric Wreck

A big hit for Landen Lewis and Daniel Hemric at IRP. Cole Butcher also involved. Red flag is out. https://t.co/yMa9BLNf0V pic.twitter.com/CHizAdP4oP

— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) July 25, 2026

Official Race Results

NASCAR Trucks under the Friday night lights! WE ARE GREEN AT IRP.#NASCARonFS1 | https://t.co/kIpAkwpvNQ pic.twitter.com/r4cAYtMVeD

— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) July 25, 2026

Race to the Chase (Round 16 of 18)

With his 4th place finish tonight, Chandler Smith locked himself into the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Chase, joining his teammate Layne Riggs and Kaden Honeycutt. Additionally, Christian Eckes and Gio Ruggiero also clinched Chase spots. Half the 2026 Chase field (5 of 10) is now set.

🔒 In! @CSmith_Racing is the third trucker to clinch his spot in The Chase. pic.twitter.com/3ZqXEgN977

— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) July 25, 2026

Top Stage Points Earners:

• Layne Riggs (20)
• Chandler Smith (16)
• Grant Enfinger (12)
• Ty Majeski (12)
• Christian Eckes (9)
• Stewart Friesen (6)
• Kaden Honeycutt (5)
• Tyler Ankrum (1)

It's the @LayneRiggs99 show!

The No. 34 sweeps both stages at @RaceIRP. pic.twitter.com/Vp35Tpg5XH

— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) July 25, 2026

Stay close to the on-track action this weekend and every weekend by following our Race Weekend Dashboard for everything you need to know before, during, and after the race. Share your thoughts by joining the discussion on Discord or X, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for further updates.