On Friday at Pocono Raceway, Layne Riggs of Front Row Motorsports clinched a surprising NASCAR Truck race victory, edging out Tanner Gray by 3.6 seconds. Driving the No. 34 Ford, Riggs became the first Ford driver to win at Pocono since Ryan Blaney’s 2013 triumph, marking Riggs’ third career win and his first of the 2025 season. This unexpected success came amid a race disrupted by crashes and penalties that reshaped the final standings.
Early Stages Dominated by Corey Heim and Strategic Moves
Although Riggs ultimately won, he was not the dominant force throughout the event. Corey Heim and Carson Hocevar initially controlled the race ahead of Riggs, with both drivers taking advantage of short-pitting strategies. Riggs managed to secure Stage 1, but Heim captured Stage 2 and appeared on course to claim the overall win.
For much of the race, Heim held command, leading 48 of the 80 laps. However, a series of incidents in the closing laps would dramatically change the race dynamic.
Critical Incidents Shake Up the Field Near Race End
With 32 laps remaining, chaos unfolded in the Tunnel Turn during an otherwise clean race. A collision involving Grant Enfinger and Ben Rhodes led to a multi-truck accident that collected Tyler Ankrum, Dawson Sutton, Conner Jones, and Clayton Green. This event disrupted the running order and forced a caution.
Following the restart, another crash occurred as Jake Garcia spun, although he managed to avoid contact with other trucks. At this key moment, Riggs was battling side-by-side with Heim for the lead, but Heim retained the front position.
Shortly after this restart, Heim’s race took a dramatic turn when he reported a flat tire. This forced him out of contention and out of the lead, paving the way for a crucial shift behind him.
Restart Controversy Ends Carson Hocevar’s Challenge
With Heim slowed by his tire issue, Carson Hocevar surged to the front row for the restart and initially took the lead easily. However, it was actually Riggs who was designated the control truck for the restart.
NASCAR officials reviewed the restart and determined Hocevar had jumped the restart, resulting in a drive-through penalty. This penalty removed Hocevar from the lead and allowed Riggs to take command of the race, eventually driving smoothly to the victory.
Final Standings and Notable Performances
Following Riggs’ win, Tanner Gray finished solidly in second place, with Kaden Honeycutt rounding out the podium in third. Brandon Jones claimed fourth, and Daniel Hemric secured fifth place. The remainder of the top ten included Connor Mosack, Chandler Smith, Stewart Friesen, Ty Majeski, and Rajah Caruth.
Hocevar battled back to finish 13th after his penalty, while Heim’s flat tire relegated him to a disappointing 24th place. Actor-turned-racer Frankie Muniz continued his steady season by earning his third top-20 finish, placing 19th at Pocono.
Riggs Reflects on Unexpected Victory and Team Effort
After the race, Riggs praised his team’s performance, emphasizing how quickly fortunes changed from previous struggles on this track.
“That’s just a testament to this team,”
said Riggs.
“This thing was bad fast, especially that last run. I really hate that the #11 [Heim] fell out. Not sure what the #7 [Hocevar] was doing on the restart there, but I made sure to take advantage of it. Not really sure why we slowed down 30mph in the restart zone but hey, I’m a happy man right now … I’m on cloud nine. This is not one I had circled. Like I said, last year we wrecked in practice, didn’t qualify, and ran around dead last all day. Today, we were the best. That’s amazing.”
—Layne Riggs, NASCAR Truck Series Driver
Implications for the 2025 NASCAR Truck Series Season
Layne Riggs’ victory at Pocono signals a significant moment in the 2025 NASCAR Truck Series, as it demonstrates the unpredictability of races when mechanical failures, strategic calls, and officials’ penalties intersect. Riggs, driving for Front Row Motorsports, has positioned himself as a strong contender in this season, especially after overcoming a challenging prior year at the same track.
The race also highlights how quickly opportunities arise in motorsports, as Riggs capitalized on the flat tire suffered by Heim and the restart penalty given to Hocevar. Going forward, this win could provide a confidence boost for Riggs and his team, while also emphasizing the need for consistency and focus by other frontrunners like Heim and Hocevar.